Effect of lupeol and lupeol linoleate on lipemic – hepatocellular aberrations in rats fed a high cholesterol diet

Abstract

Cholesterol feeding has been often used to study the etiology of hypercholesterolaemia-related metabolic disturbances. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of a pentacyclic triterpene, lupeol, and its ester derivative on hepatic abnormalities associated with hypercholesterolemic rats. Hypercholesterolaemia was induced in male Wistar rats by feeding them with a high cholesterol diet (HCD) containing normal rat chow supplemented with 4% cholesterol and 1% cholic acid, for 30 days. Lupeol and lupeol linoleate were supplemented (50 mg/kg body wt/day) during the last 15 days. Increased hepatic lipid profile along with abnormalities in lipid-metabolizing enzyme activities were seen in hypercholesterolemic rats. An apparent increase in the expression of Acyl-CoA cholesterol acyltransferase mRNA was seen in HCD fed rats. The activities of hepatic marker enzymes, which serve as indices of cellular injury, were altered in HCD fed rats. Treatment with triterpenes significantly modulated the abnormalities induced by hypercholesterolaemia. Also, an increased (P >0.001) faecal excretion of cholesterol and bile acids were observed in lupeol and lupeol linoleate group when compared with HCD fed group. Therefore, it can be concluded that triterpenes treatment afforded substantial protection against the anomalies, which are manifested during the early stage of hypercholesterolemic atherogenesis.

Pentacyclic Triterpenes of the Lupane, Oleanane and Ursane Group as Tools in Cancer Therapy

“…This results in a protection of renal tissue. In this case the antioxidative effect of lupeol is called cardioprotective or renalprotective [87,95,96].…”

Alterations in Lipid-Lipoprotein Fractions and Antioxidant Status by Lycopene and its Blends with Rice Bran Oil in Nutritionally Induced Hyperlipidemic Animal Model

“…The altered levels of serum transaminases and alkaline phosphatase in HFHC diet fed rats clearly indicates dysfunctioning of the hepatic tissue resulting in impairment of liver membrane permeability thus allowing the escape of the enzymes into circulation [74]. The restoration of the enzymatic levels in treated animals was primarily a consequence of cumulative effect of antioxidative potential of lycopene and bioactive components of RBO thereby contributing to their hepatoprotective potential.…”

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“…This results in a protection of renal tissue. In this case the antioxidative effect of lupeol is called cardioprotective or renalprotective [87,95,96]. In the majority of in vivo studies lupeol and also betulin were administered orally daily without any adverse effects at a dosage of 35-50 mg/kg body weight, which is a high dose.…”