Abstract

Artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) is full of natural antioxidants and has a lipid-lowering effect. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of artichoke on the liver phosphatidate phosphohydrolase (PAP), plasma lipid levels, plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), and plasma antioxidant in hyperlipidemic rats. Male rats were fed by standard pellet diet (Group 1), standard diet supplemented with 10% artichoke (Group 2), lipogenic diet (containing sunflower oil, cholesterol and ethanol) plus 10% artichoke (Group 3) and only lipogenic diet (Group 4). On day 60 of the experiment, liver PAP activity, liver triglyceride (TG), plasma lipids, plasma MDA, and plasma antioxidant levels were measured. PAP activity, liver TG, the ratio of total cholesterol (TC) to high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, plasma TC and TG levels were significantly decreased due to artichoke treatment in Groups 2 and 3 compared to Groups 1 and 4, respectively. Significant reduction in plasma MDA and significant elevation in plasma antioxidant power observed in Groups 2 and 3 compared to Groups 1 and 4, respectively. The results clearly indicated that artichoke can be useful for the reduction of PAP activity and liver TG. Also, artichoke has beneficial effects in the controlling of hyperlipidemia, abnormalities in lipid profiles and oxidative stress in hyperlipidemic regimes.

Key words: Artichoke, hyperlipidemia, liver triglyceride, plasma lipids, phosphatidate phosphohydrolase.