Antihypercholesterolaemic activity
A long-term (10-week) feeding experiment measured the effect of a fruit
extract (10 ml 100% fruit juice/kg bw) on blood plasma and tissue lipid
profiles in normal rats and rats with streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetes.
The results showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in plasma nonesterified
cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids in rats with streptozotocin-induced
diabetes, accompanied by a decrease in high-density
lipoprotein-cholesterol. A moderate increase in the plasma lipid peroxidase
product, malondialdehyde, and about a twofold increase in kidney
plasma lipid peroxidase was also observed. The treatment of diabetic rats
with the fruit extract over a 10-week period returned these levels to normal.
In addition, the extract exhibited an inhibitory effect on membrane
plasma lipid peroxidase under in vitro conditions