Abstract :
High fat-high cholesterol diet changes lipid metabolism, increases body fat storage and is considered as a critical epigenetic nutritional factor in several human lifestyle diseases; hyperlipidemia, obesity, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. The present study was designed to evaluate the possible cardioprotective effects of cape gooseberry and loquat juices against feeding high fat-high cholesterol (HF-HC) diet in rats. Fifty male albino rats weighing (180 ±20 g) were divided to 5 groups, 10 rats each. Group 1: (Healthy control group): Rats were fed on balanced diet and orally administrated (1ml kg-1 b. wt.) distilled water I.G. daily. Group 2: (Hyperlipidemic group): Rats were fed on HF-HC diet and orally administrated (1ml kg-1 b. wt.) distilled water I.G. daily. Group 3, 4 & 5 rats were fed on HF-HC diet and orally administrated cape gooseberry, loquat and mixture of two juices respectively (1ml kg-1 b. wt.) I.G. daily. Biological evaluation, biochemical parameters were tested as well as microscopic examination of liver and heart tissues was done. Feeding HF-HC diet caused marked disruption in lipids metabolism, liver and heart functions furthermore pathological changes in liver and heart tissues structure along with significant abnormalities in some oxidative stress and anti- inflammatory biomarkers. However, treatment with tested juices showed remarkable effects by reversing the condition. Consuming cape gooseberry and loquat fruits could modulate lipid metabolism and protect heart from hyperlipidemic injury.
