Hypolipidaemic effect of crude extract from Carpobrotus rossii (pigface) in healthy rats

• Published in: Food and chemical toxicology 2014-04, Vol.66, p.134-139
• Main Authors: Pirie, Adam D., Davies, Noel W., Ahuja, Kiran D.K., Adams, Murray J., Shing, Cecilia M., Narkowicz, Christian, Jacobson, Glenn A., Geraghty, Dominic P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aizoaceae - chemistry; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Pressure - drug effects; Body Weight - drug effects; Cardiovascular; Carpobrotus; Carpobrotus spp; Flavonoid; Food toxicology; Lipid; Lipids - blood; Male; Medical sciences; Organ Size - drug effects; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Polyphenolic; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Toxicology
• ISSN: 0278-6915; 1873-6351
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2014.01.034

[Display omitted] •Supplementation with crude Carpobrotus rossii (CR) induced a lowering in cholesterol associated with atherosclerosis.•CR supplementation increased 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric acid (HMG) in renal tissue.•CR supplementation showed no evidence of toxicology as assessed by changes in organ weight or haematology. Carpobrotus rossii (CR) was used by the Aboriginal population and early European settlers both as a food and therapeutic agent. Based on the presence of flavonoids in CR and results from our previous in vitro investigations, this study aimed to determine whether consumption of CR crude leaf extract: (a) affected lipoprotein profile, resting glucose, systolic blood pressure and vascular function, and (b) produced toxic effects (haematological measures, organ weight) in healthy rats. Male Hooded-Wistar rats (∼230g) were supplemented for 4weeks with CR extract in their drinking water (35mg/kg body weight daily). CR extract produced a significant decrease (18%, p=0.033) in atherogenic lipoproteins (but not high density lipoprotein). CR supplemented animals showed no signs of haematological toxicity and body and organ weight, daily fluid and food consumption and in vitro vascular responsiveness were similar for both groups. CR also increased (40%, p=0.049) the renal concentration of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric acid (HMG), consistent with HMG-containing CR flavonoids being bioavailable, and therefore possessing the potential to interfere with cholesterol synthesis pathways. CR extract appears to be safe to ingest and may reduce cardiovascular risk.