Portulaca oleracea reduces triglyceridemia, cholesterolemia, and improves lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase activity in rats fed enriched-cholesterol diet

Phytomedicine

Volume 21, Issue 12, 15 October 2014, Pages 1504–1508

• Y. Zidan^a,
• S. Bouderbala^a,
• F. Djellouli^a,
• M.A. Lacaille-Dubois^b,
• M. Bouchenak^{a, , ,}

 

doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2014.07.010

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Abstract

Purpose

The effects of Portulaca oleracea (Po) lyophilized aqueous extract were determined on the serum high-density lipoproteins (HDL₂ and HDL₃) amounts and composition, as well as on lecithin: cholesterol acyltansferase (LCAT) activity.

Methods

Male Wistar rats (n = 12) were fed on 1% cholesterol-enriched diet for 10 days. After this phase, hypercholesterolemic rats (HC) were divided into two groups fed the same diet supplemented or not with Portulaca oleracea (Po-HC) (0.5%) for four weeks.

Results

Serum total cholesterol (TC) and triacylglycerols (TG), and liver TG values were respectively 1.6-, 1.8-, and 1.6-fold lower in Po-HC than in HC group. Cholesterol concentrations in LDL-HDL₁, HDL₂, and HDL₃ were respectively 1.8, 1.4-, and 2.4-fold decreased in Po-HC group. HDL₂ and HDL₃ amounts, which were the sum of apolipoproteins (apos), TG, cholesteryl esters (CE), unesterified cholesterol (UC), and phospholipids (PL) contents, were respectively 4.5-fold higher and 1.2-fold lower with Po treatment. Indeed, enhanced LCAT activity (1.2-fold), its cofactor-activator apo A-I (2-fold) and its reaction product HDL₂-CE (2.1-fold) were observed, whereas HDL₃-PL (enzyme substrate) and HDL₃-UC (acyl group acceptor) were 1.2- and 2.4-fold lower.

Conclusion

Portulaca oleracea reduces triglyceridemia, cholesterolemia, and improves reverse cholesterol transport in rat fed enriched-cholesterol diet, contributing to anti-atherogenic effects.

Keywords

• Hypercholesterolemic rat;
• Portulaca oleracea;
• HDL₂;
• HDL₃;
• LCAT

Abbreviations

• Apo, apolipoprotein;
• BW, body weight;
• CE, cholesteryl esters;
• EC, esterified cholesterol;
• HC, hypercholesterolemic;
• HDL, high density lipoprotein;
• LCAT, lecithin: cholesterol acyltranseferase;
• LDL, low density lipoprotein;
• LPL, lipoprotein lipase;
• PL, phospholipid;
• Po, Portulaca oleracea;
• TC, total cholesterol;
• TG, triacylglycerols;
• UC, unesterified cholesterol

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