ABSTRACT
Excessive consumption of a high-fat diet (HFD) is associated with hypercholesterolemia and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Dark purple maoberry (Antidesma bunius) fruit is a very good source of antioxidants. We investigated the effects of maoberry on immune function, lipid profiles, and oxidative stress in HFD-induced hypercholesterolemia. Seventy-two male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into the normal group fed with standard diet (ND); HFD groups (HF); and low, medium, and high dose of maoberry extract groups and a simvastatin group (HF-L, HF-M, HF-H, and HF-S, respectively). Maoberry groups were given maoberry extract at concentrations of 0.38, 0.76, and 1.52 g/kg per day. At the same time, HF-S groups were administered simvastatin 10 mg/kg per day. After 12 weeks of maoberry treatment, significant reductions in body weight and triglyceride levels were observed in HF-L, HF-M, and HF-H groups in comparison with HF groups (P < .05). Obvious negative changes in spleen histology were found in HF groups, but not in maoberry-treated groups. Modest, but not significant, improvements were observed in other lipid profiles, immune cells in peripheral blood, oxidative stress, and antioxidant capacity after maoberry supplementation. In summary, these findings suggest that maoberry was helpful in reducing atherogenic risk factors such as lipid profiles, especially triglyceride, inflammation, oxidative stress related to CVD, and lesions in spleen histopathology.
