Citrus peel polymethoxylated flavones extract modulates liver and heart function parameters in diet induced hypercholesterolemic rats

The primary aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Ortanique peel polymethoxylated flavones extract (PMFort) on organ function parameters in the serum of hypercholesterolemic and normal rats. Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats were fed high cholesterol diets supplemented with 1.5% PMFort and niacin respectively for 49 days. Hypercholesterolemic rats fed PMFort had significant reductions in the activities of aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase (69.12 ± 3.34 and 87.22 ± 8.42 U/L respectively) compared to the untreated hypercholesterolemic group (118.61 ± 4.85 and 132.62 ± 10.62 U/L respectively, p < 0.05). Supplementation of the diet with niacin or PMFort resulted in no significant differences in the serum levels of creatinine or urea in any of the groups. Total bilirubin was highest in the untreated hypercholesterolemic group. Supplementation of the diets of hypercholesterolemic rats with PMFort resulted in significant reductions in the activities of serum creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase (119.3 ± 25.3; 222.5 ± 50.3 U/L, p < 0.05) respectively relative to the untreated hypercholesterolemic group (257.2 ± 48.3; 648.8 ± 103 U/L, p < 0.05). The results would suggest that PMFort modulates hypercholesterolemia-associated organ injury in rats. PMFort could therefore be a suitable candidate for prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of hypercholesterolemia-associated organ injury.

► PMFort significantly reduced liver function parameters in hypercholesterolemic rats. ► PMFort significantly reduced heart function parameters in hypercholesterolemic rats. ► PMFort ameliorated organ functions parameters in hypercholesterolemic. ► PMFort may be a candidate of natural origin for treatment of hypercholesterolemia.