Effect of beta vulgaris l. on cholesterol rich diet-induced hypercholesterolemia in rats

The lyophilized aqueous extract of Beta vulgaris L. (beet root) (BVE) was investigated for its possible antihypercholesterolemic and antioxidant potential in cholesterol rich diet-induced hypercholesterolemia in Wistar albino rats. Hypercholesterolemia was induced in rats by feeding 1% cholesterol rich diet for 10 weeks. Lipid profile and glucose were estimated in serum. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and non-protein sulfhydryls (NP-SH) levels were measured in liver and heart. Hypercholesterolemic rats showed a significant increase in total cholesterol and triglycerides and a significant decrease in high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. BVE at the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight for 70 consecutive days showed a significant decrease in total cholesterol and triglycerides and significant increase in HDL-C. Furthermore, hypercholesterolemic rats showed free radical generation (lipid peroxidation), evident by a significant increase in MDA level and a significant reduction in NP-SH content in both liver and heart homogenates. BVE treatment significantly decreased MDA level and significantly replenished the reduced NP-SH content in both liver and heart tissue. The acute toxicity test of BVE showed no mortality or morbidity in rats. The findings indicate that BVE has a significant antihypercholesterolemic and antioxidant potential and/or free radical scavenging properties in hypercholesterolemic, rats possibly exerted by the phytoconstituents present in the beet root.