The anti-hypercholesterolemic effect of the ethanol extract of plum flesh in male rats of wistar strain induced by a high-fat diet

Abstract

Hypercholesterolemia is a condition in which total cholesterol levels in the blood exceed normal values. This condition can have adverse consequences, for example, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. One of the treatments used in this condition is a statin drug, Simvastatin, but the side effects of this statin drug are toxic to the liver and kidneys. Antioxidants such as flavonoids and anthocyanins can reduce total cholesterol levels in the blood as well. Japanese plums are known to have levels of these antioxidants. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of ethanol extract of plum flesh on total cholesterol levels of hypercholesterolemic male Wistar rats.This research was conducted using laboratory experimental methods pre-test and post-test control design. The research subjects consisted of 25 rats which were divided into negative control groups, positive controls, treatment doses of 0.8 g/kg, 1.6 g/kg, and 2.4 g/kg. Paired t-test was carried out to see if there was any significance in decreasing the total cholesterol of rats, and the One Way Anova test to see a more effective dose. The ethanol extract of Japanese plum flesh with a dose of 1.6 gr/kg and 2.4 g/kg body weight was able to significantly reduce the total cholesterol levels of rats. The ethanol extract of Japanese plum flesh at a dose of 1.6 g/kg body weight is the most effective dose in reducing total cholesterol.