Effect of methanolic extract of Arbutus Pavarii Leaves as an antioxidant in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia in albino rats

Maraia F. Elmhdwi, Salem, G. El tumi 
Department of Chemistry ( Biochemistry) , Faculty of  Science, Benghazi Univ., Libya

Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant activity and  hypocholesterolemic effect of methanolic extract of Arbutus pavarii leaves (MEAPL). The hypercholesterolemia induced by cholesterol and cholic acid at 3:1 ratio in male albino rats. It was administered orally once a day, for 60 days. The effect of (MEAPL) against hypercholesterolemia in male rats has been evaluated by various types of lipoproteins, but the two most abundant are Low-density Lipoprotein (LDL) and High-density Lipoprotein (HDL). Total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), in addition to liver marker enzymes such as “ALT, AST, G-GT, LDH, ALP and proteins. Antioxidant enzymes activity (SOD, GR, GPx and CAT), and lipid peroxidation marker MDA were measured the level of TC, LDL, TG and liver marker enzymes were increased but the level of HDL decreased in HFD rats compared with control rats. The level of MDA was increased in HFD rats compared with control rats while antioxidant enzymes SOD, GR, GPx and CAT activity were decreased. The histopathological studies also supported the prophylactic effects of (MEAPL). The results obtained revealed that methanolic extract of Arbutus pavarii leaves (MEAPL) has a prophylactic effect against hypercholesterolemia compared with the reference standard hypercholesterolemia agent ˝Atorvastatin˝ and standard antioxidant vitamin C.