Aqueous extract of <it>Piper sarmentosum </it>decreases atherosclerotic lesions in high cholesterolemic experimental rabbits

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Piper sarmentosum </it>(P.s) has flavonoid component in its leaves which has antioxidative effect. To date, its effect on atherosclerosis has not been studied histologically.</p> <p>Aim</p> <p>The study aimed to investigate the effect of <it>P.s </it>on atherosclerotic changes in hypercholesterolemic rabbits.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Forty two male New Zealand white rabbits were divided into seven groups. C - control group fed normal rabbit chow, CH - cholesterol diet (1% cholesterol), W1 - 1% cholesterol with water extract of <it>P.s </it>(62.5 mg/kg), W2 - 1% cholesterol with water extract of <it>P.s </it>(125 mg/kg), W3 - 1% cholesterol with water extract of <it>P.s </it>(250 mg/kg), W4 - 1% cholesterol with water extract of <it>P.s </it>(500 mg/kg) and Smv - 1% cholesterol supplemented with simvistatin drug (1.2 mg/kg). All rabbits were treated for 10 weeks. Following 10 weeks of supplementation, the animals were sacrificed and the aortic tissue was taken for histological study.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Rabbits fed only with high cholesterol diet 1% cholesterol (CH) showed focal fatty streak lesions compared to the C group and 1% cholesterol supplemented with simvistatin drug (Smv) group. Atherosclerotic lesions in the 1% cholesterol group supplemented with <it>P.s </it>(500 mg/kg) i.e. W4 group showed significant reduction (30 ± 6.0%, p < 0.05) in fatty streak compared to the high cholesterol group (85.6 ± 4.1%) under Sudan IV stain. The atherosclerotic lesions under transmission electron microscope showed reduction in foam cells in the treatment groups compared to the CH groups.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Administration of <it>P.s </it>extract has protective effect against atheroscleros</p>