The Potential Effect of the Red Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) Powder on Hypercholesterolemic Rats

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of different levels of the red dragon (Hylocereus polyrhizus) fruit (RDF) powder (5%, 7.5%,10 & 15%) on hypercholesterolemic male albino rats. The study included 60 white male albino rats, weighing about (160±15g), which were divided into (6) equal groups, each group (10) rats, one was kept as control (-ve) group, while the other (5) groups were induced hypercholesterolemic fed on basal diet containing cholesterol (1.5%) and bile salt (0.25%) for two weeks to induce hypercholesterolemia. Some biochemical analyses including, lipid profiles, liver enzymes, kidney functions and glucose level were analyzed. Data also showed a significant decrease in lipid profiles total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol in all treated groups, as compared to the positive control group, while high density lipoprotein cholesterol level increased. liver enzymes, kidney functions, serum glucose level decreased when compared with control positive. Therefore, red dragon fruit powder especially with a 15% level improved all tested biochemical analyses and could be considered therapeutic means for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia rats.