Biochemical Study on the Anti-atherogenic Activity of Sea Cucumber (Holothuria polii) in Rats

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the anti-atherogenic activity of Mediterranian sea cucumber aqueous and mixed extracts (Holothuria polii) in rats fed high fat diet (HFD). The aqueous extract of sea cucumber showed anti-oxidative activity at a dose dependent manner by inhibition of lipid peroxidation. The HPLC analysis of sea cucumber aqueous extract detected the presence of thirteen phenolic components, four vitamins and 17 amino acids. Histopathological studies revealed that administration of aqueous or mixed extract of sea cucumber along with the HFD showed an improvement in ultrastructure architecture of heart tissue, large blood vessel and liver tissue of treated rats, which was more obvious in the protective group. Biochemical results were in harmony with histopathology where oral supplementation with aqueous or mixed extract of sea cucumber caused a highly significant reduction in serum levels of total lipids, triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, VLDL-C, LDL-C and the atherogenic indices, which were markedly elevated in the atherogenic group. By contrast, sharp significant elevations in serum HDL-C and LCAT levels were observed, which were markedly decreased in rats fed HFD. On the other hand, HFD elevated heart markers such as troponin I level, AST and LDH activites. Treating atherogenic rats with aqueous or mixed sea cucumber extract produced marked reductions in serum levels of troponin I and the activity of both AST and LDH. In conclusion data obtained from this study suggest that oral supplementation with sea cucumber extract has the potential to protect against atherosclerosis through suppressing the oxidative stress and regulating the cholesterol metabolism, and may be beneficial when combined with drugs in the treatment of patients with cardiovascular disease.