Effects of Water Extracts of Red Pepper Seeds Powder on Antioxidative Enzyme Activities and Oxidative Damage in Rats Fed High-Fat and High-Cholesterol Diets

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of water extracts from red pepper seeds powder on antioxidative enzyme activities and oxidative damage in groups of rrats fed high-fat and high-cholesterol diets group (HFC). The Rrats were divided into the following five experimental groups which are : composed ofa normal diet group, a high fat.high cholesterol diet group, and a high fat.high cholesterol diet group supplemented with different amounts contents (1%, 2% and 4%) of red pepper seeds powder water extracts supplemented groups (HFCW1, HFCW2 and HFCW4, respectively). Body weight gains and food intake were lower ofin the red pepper seed water extracts groups were lower than those inof the HFC group. Hepartic xanthine oxidase (XOD) activity was decreased in the HFCW2 and HFCW4 groups compared to the HFC group. Hepartic glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) activitiyactivity was increased in the HFCW4 group compared to the HFC group. Hepatic superoxide radicals within the mitochondria and microsomes of cells were significantly reduced in the HFCW2 and HFCW4 groups compared to the HFC group. Hepartic hydrogen peroxide in the cytosol was significantly reduced in the HFCW3 and HFCW4 groups compared to the HFC group. Hepatic carbonyl values in the microsomes and mitochondria were significantly reduced in the HFCW4 group compared to the HFC group. Hepartic thiobarbituric acid reaction substance (TBARS) activity was decreased in the HFCW2 group compared to the HFC group. These results suggest that water extracts of red pepper seeds powder may reduce oxidative damage by activation of antioxidative defense systems in rats fed high fat.high cholesterol diets.

Effect of ethanol extracts from red pepper seeds on antioxidative defense system and oxidative stress in rats fed high-fat, high-cholesterol diet

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of ethanol extracts from red pepper seeds on the antioxidative defense system and oxidative stress in rats fed a high fat . high cholesterol diet. Rats were divided into four experimental groups which were composed of high fat . high cholesterol diet group (HF), high fat . high cholesterol diet with 0.1% ethanol extracts from red pepper seeds supplemented group (HEA), high fat . high cholesterol diet with 0.2% ethanol extracts from red pepper seeds supplemented group (HEB) and high fat.high cholesterol diet with 0.5% ethanol extracts from red pepper seeds supplemented group (HEC). Supplementation of ethanol extracts from red pepper seeds groups (HEA, HEB and HEC) resulted in significantly increased activities of hepatic glutathione peroxidase and catalase. Hepatic superoxide radical contents in microsome and mitochondria were significantly reduced in the groups supplemented with red pepper seeds ethanol extracts. Hepatic hydrogen peroxide content in the mitochondria was reduced in ethanol extracts from red pepper seeds supplemented groups. TBARS values in the liver were reduced in red pepper seeds ethanol extracts supplemented groups. Especially, HEB and HEC groups were significantly decreased compared to the HF group. Hepatic carbonyl values were significantly reduced in mitochondria in these supplemented groups. These results suggest that red pepper seeds ethanol extracts may reduce oxidative damage, by activation of antioxidative defense system in rats fed high fat . high cholesterol diets.