Hypolipidemic Effects of Citrus bergamia Risso et Poiteau Juice in Rats Fed a Hypercholesterolemic Diet

Abstract

Citrus bergamia Risso et Poiteau fruits have been traditionally utilized, in Calabria (Italy), as a popular remedy for their hypolipidemic properties. C. bergamia juice total phenol content (2474.35+/-38 microg/mL) was evaluated by the Folin-Ciocalteu method; moreover, HPLC analysis led to the identification of naringin (520 ppm), neoeriocitrin (370 ppm), and neohesperidin (310 ppm). The present study was designed to investigate the hypolipidemic effects of C. bergamia juice and its protective effect on liver of hyperlipidemic rats. Chronic administration of C. bergamia (1 mL/rat/day) provoked a significant reduction in serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels and an increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels; moreover, histopathological observations showed, in rats submitted to C. bergamia treatment, a protection of hepatic parenchyma. In addition, fecal neutral sterols and fecal bile acid excretion was found to be increased after C. bergamia treatment. These results suggest that the hypocholesterolemic effect of C. bergamia may be mediated by the increase in fecal neutral sterols and total bile acids excretion. In addition to the hypolipidemic effect, the juice shows radical scavenging activity in the diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) test; probably the two effects are related. These observations suggest that the positive intake of C. bergamia may reduce the risk of some cardiovascular diseases through its radical scavenging function and hypocholesterolemic action.

Hypolipidemic Effects of Coenzyme Q10 in Experimentally Induced Hypercholesterolemic Model in Female Rats

“…These results are consistent with many previous experimental studies (Khanna et al, 2002;Prasad, 2005;Jain and Agarwal, 2006;Vijaimohan et al, 2006;Miceli et al, 2007;Park et al, 2009;Pyo and Seong, 2009). Excessive dietary intake of fat cause serum cholesterol to rise by down regulating LDL receptor synthesis as a result of which the uptake of LDL-C via LDL receptor is reduced which result in an increase of blood cholesterol level (Dietschy et al, 1993).…”

Flavonoid Fraction of Bergamot Juice Reduces LPS-Induced Inflammatory Response through SIRT1-Mediated NF-κB Inhibition in THP-1 Monocytes

“…On the contrary, bergamot juice (BJ), obtained from the endocarp of the fruit, is considered just a secondary and discarded product. Studies performed by Miceli et al [27] have shown that a chronic administration of BJ is effective to prevent the diet-induced hyperlipidemia in rat, suggesting a relationship between the beneficial effect and its antioxidant properties. Moreover, a clinical research showed that the bergamot-derived polyphenolic fraction, given orally in patients suffering from metabolic syndrome, produces significant reduction of serum cholesterol, triglycerides and glycaemia [28], strengthen the finding obtained in animal model.…”

Synergistic in vitro antioxidant activity and observational clinical trial of F105, a phytochemical formulation includingCitrus bergamia, in subjects with moderate cardiometabolic risk factors

“…While this fruit is primarily used in the fragrance industry for its essential oil extracted from its peel, recent studies on the juice from the endocarp of bergamot have shown that it has several bioactivities such as antioxidant, antiinflammatory, cytotoxic, neuroprotective, as well as hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic properties (Currò et al 2016;Impellizzeri et al 2015;Miceli et al 2007;Mollace et al 2008;Risitano et al 2014;Sicari et al 2016;Trovato et al 2010;Tundis et al 2012). From clinical and mechanistic studies, it has been proposed (Mollace et al 2011) that melitidine and brutieridine in concert with naringin and other flavonone glycosides might be responsible for the hypolipidemic effects of BFE and function as do the statin drugs through the direct action on 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl -coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase activity.…”