Sargassum aquifolium juice prevents elevated cholesterol levels and histopathological damage to the pancreas in rats fed an atherogenic diet Raut Bregas Prasoso and Muhamad Firdaus
Fishery Products Technology Study Program, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Brawijaya University
Abstract
Hypercholesterolemia is a metabolic disorder characterized by high cholesterol levels in the blood. These diseases can cause inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). Sargassum aquifolium is a brown alga that contains bioactive compounds that may act as an antihypercholesterolemic. This study aimed to prevent cholesterol rise and pancreatic profile damage in rats fed an atherogenic diet containing S. aquifolium juice. S. aquifolium was obtained from Ekas Bay, West Nusa Tenggara. Rattus novergicus aged 2 to 3 months weigh about 150 g. Hypercholesterolemia modelling was performed by atherogenic feeding for six months. The phytochemical method was based on the Harborne method. Data were expressed ad mean and standard deviation. The results showed that S. aquifolium juice contains tannins, saponins and steroids. Experimental animals fed an atherogenic diet showed elevated cholesterol levels and an impaired pancreatic profile. S. aquifolium juice given 2 times a day was able to prevent an increase in cholesterol levels and damage to the pancreatic profile but was toxic when given three times a day. The conclusion was that S. aquifolium juice could prevent an increase in cholesterol and damage to the pancreatic profile in rats fed an atherogenic diet.
Keywords: S. aquifolium juice, phytochemicals, functional food, hypercholesterolemia, histopathological profile of pancreas.
Topic: Fisheries Product Technology and Food Safety (International)
