EFFECT OF POLICOSANOL EXTRACT ADMINISTRATION ON LIPID PROFILE IN HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIC FEMALE RATS DURING LACTATION

The present study designed to investigate the effects of the extracted policosanol on the lipid profile of hypercholesterolemic lactating female rats (Ratus norvigicus). Forty-eight female rat (10-12) weeks old, and weighting (200-250 gm) were used in the current study. After daily vaginal smear for 3 sequences estrus cycles, they mated with twenty-four healthy adult fertile males weighting (280-350 gm), 24 of these females were induced to be hypercholesterolemic during the pregnancy, and others still healthy. Sugarcane was collected from Mesan province and policosanol was extracted from sugarcane wax. Immediately after birth, the animals were divided into 6  groups: Group 1 (n=8) (Control): Normal rats were given only 0.5 ml/ animal of Dimethyl Sulphoxide (DMSO) daily immediately after birth. Group 2 (n=8) hyperchol. (HC): Hpercholestrolemic rats were given only DMSO 0.5 ml/ animal daily immediately after birth. Group 3(n=8) (HC+SM): Hpercholestrolemic rats were given simvastatin at dose 20mg/kg BW/ day dissolved in DMSO orally by gavages' immediately after birth. Group 4(n=8) (SM): Normal rats were given only simvastatin at dose 20mg/kg BW/ day dissolve xsqqs ed in DMSO orally by gavages' immediately after birth. Group 5 (n= 8) (HC+ST. pol): Hypercholesterolemic rats were given standard policosanol at dose 20mg/kg BW/day orally by gavages' immediately after birth. Finally, group 6(n=8)( HC+EX. pol): Hypercholesterolemic rats were given policosanol extraction at dose 20mg/kg BW/day orally by gavages immediately after birth.  The treatment continued until weaning ( 30 days). All animals were then sacrificed and blood samples were collected for measuring of lipid parameters. Total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) in all groups. Results revealed a significant improvement in TC level was recorded in (HC+SM) group and no difference was observed as compared with the control group. While the level of TC in (SM), (HC+ST.pol) and (HC+EX.pol) treated groups decreased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) compared with the control group, (HC) and (HC+SM) treated groups. No significant differences in HDL-C were observed between (HC+EX.pol) and control group. While the level of HDL-C still significantly lower in all other treated groups compared with the control group. A significant reduction (p ≤ 0.05) in LDL-C level was recorded in all treated groups compared with (HC) group. No significant differences were observed in LDL-C between (SM), (HC+ST. pol) and (HC+EX.pol) compared with the control group. While the LDL-C still significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) in (HC+SM) compared with the control group. Levels of triglyceride (TG) in (HC+SM),(HC+ST.pol) and (HC+EX.pol) treated groups recorded a significant elevation ( p≤ 0.05)  as compared with the control group. While levels of TG in (SM) treated group was significantly decreased (p≤0.05) as compared with the control group. Conclusion: local sugar cane can be used to extract the policosanol which has an antihyperlipidemic effect on hypercholesterolemic lactating female rats.