The control of dyslipidemia by using herbal products is an important subject for studies. In this study, we evaluated the effects of dry Passiflora incarnata L. extract over dyslipidemia, left ventricular hypertrophy, and hepatic oxidative stress of LDL receptor knockout mice (LDLr-/-). Forty 4-month old male LDLr-/-mice were distributed into four groups: Group standard diet; Group standard diet and 200 mg/kg of body weight of Passiflora incarnata L. leaf dry extract; Group high-fat diet; Group high-fat diet and 200 mg/kg of body weight of Passiflora incarnata L. leaf dry extract. After 30 days, Passiflora incarnata L. dry extract reduced the effects of the high-fat diet, with a decrease of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and increase of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), as well as a reduction of C-reactive protein, alkaline phosphatase and insulin. There was no effect on glucose, Homa index and enzymes aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase. However, the prevention of left ventricular hypertrophy occurred, as well as lipid peroxidation and the production of carbonyl proteins, which are both oxidative stress markers. In conclusion, Passiflora incarnata L. dry extract acts in the prevention of dyslipidemia, consequently, hindering the occurrence of hepatic oxidative stress and the development of left ventricular hypertrophy by the increase of serum HDL, in mice that had the effects of a high-fat diet.

We evaluated the effects of grape juice (Vitis labrusca L.) on dyslipidemia, resistance to insulin, and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in mice homozygous for the absence of the LDL receptor gene (LDLr-/-) under a hyperlipidemic diet. Methodology We divided 30 male mice (3 months old) into three groups (n = 10); the HL group was fed a high-fat diet, the HLU group received a high-fat diet and 2 g/kg/day of grape juice, and the HLS group was fed a high-fat diet and simvastatin (20 mg/kg/day). We assessed the blood pressure profile of the mice. We also determined the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and lipid profile, glycemic and insulinemic profiles, and calculated the HOMA-IR. Cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, interstitial collagen deposit, and the expression of CD40 ligand (CD40L) and metalloproteinases 2 and 9 were assessed immunohistologically. Results After 60 days, the mice treated with grape juice showed similar results as those of the group treated with simvastatin. The use of grape fruit attenuated dyslipidemia and insulin resistance and significantly increased the levels of high cholesterol density lipoproteins (HDLc). The antioxidant potential of phenolic compounds associated with the increase in HDLc levels in the mice of the HLU group prevented the development of LVH and arterial hypertension since it inhibited the inflammatory response induced by the CD40 pathway and its ligand CD40L. Consequently, there was a lower expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 and lower serum levels of CRP.

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. In this study we compared the effects of oral treatment with red pepper ethereal extracts or simvastatin on dyslipidemia, left ventricle remodeling, and atherosclerotic lesions of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor knockout mice (LDLr −/− ) fed a hyperlipidic diet. Forty 3-month-old male mice were distributed into four groups: control (C; animals fed a standard diet), HL (ani-mals fed a hyperlipidic diet), and HL+P or HL+S (animals fed a hyperlipidic diet plus red pepper ethereal extracts or simvastatin, respectively). After 60 days, treatment with both red pepper ethereal extracts and simvastatin prevented dyslipidemia, atherosclerotic lesion progression, and left ventricle hypertrophy. Our results suggest a cardioprotective effect of red pepper ethereal extracts in LDLr −/− mice, which is comparable to the well-known effects of simvastatin.

A regulação do metabolismo lipídico através do consumo de fitoterápicos é uma estratégia para reduzir o risco de doenças cardiovasculares. Diante disso, o objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o efeito do óleo de cártamo sobre a resistência à insulina e hipertrofia ventricular esquerda (HVE) em camundongos com ausência de receptor para LDL (LDLr-/-) com diferentes dietas. Os Camundongos LDLr-/- foram divididos em quatro grupos: C: dieta padrão; CCA: dieta padrão e 2mg/kg/dia de óleo de cártamo; HL: dieta hiperlipídica; HLCA: dieta hiperlipídica e 2mg/kg/dia de óleo de cártamo. Após 15 dias de experimento foi quantificado as concentrações séricas de colesterol total e suas frações, triglicerídeos, proteína C reativa, insulina, glicose e calculado o índice de Homa. Lâminas histológicas com tecido cardíaco foram preparadas e coradas com hematoxilina e eosina, para avaliação histológica geral; e coradas com picrosírius red para avaliar da área de depósito de colágeno. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que o óleo de cártamo preveniu a redução dos níveis séricos do HDL e do aumento dos níveis da PCR, preveniu parcialmente a resistência insulínica e a hiperinsulinemia nos camundongos do grupo HLCA. O uso de óleo de cártamo equilibrou os fatores anti-hipertróficos em relação aos fatores hipertróficos (hiperinsulinemia e processo inflamatório), prevenindo a HVE nos camundongos do grupo HLCA. Em conclusão o óleo de cártamo preveniu o desenvolvimento da HVE e parcialmente a resistência à insulina.