Sargassum aquifolium juice prevents the increase of Cholesterol Levels and damage to the arterial profile in Hypercholesterolemic Rats Firyal Hanifah and Muhamad Firdaus
Program Studi Teknologi Hasil Perikanan, Fakultas Perikanan dan Ilmu Kelautan, Universitas Brawijaya, Jl. Veteran, Malang-65145, Indonesia.
Abstract
Hypercholesterolemia is a condition where cholesterol in the blood increases beyond normal limits. Hypercholesterolemia can cause damage to the arteries, namely atherosclerosis. Sargassum aquifolium has bioactive compounds that can be used as a functional food to prevent an increase in blood cholesterol levels. The slow juicing method can obtain the bioactive compounds in S. aquifolium. This study aimed to prevent an increase in cholesterol levels and changes in the arterial profile of hypercholesterolemic rats. The material in this study was S. aquifolium taken from the waters of Ekas Bay, West Nusa Tenggara. Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) aged 2 to 3 months with average weight of 150g. Hypercholesterolemic rats were modelled by feeding high fat for six months. Phytochemical method was based on the Harborne method. This study consisted of 5 treatment groups, each group containing six rats, namely negative control, positive control, and giving S.aquifolium juice 1x, 2x and 3x a day. Parameters observed were cholesterol levels, MDA levels and arterial profiles. Statistical evaluation with analysis of variance and Duncan further test with a confidence interval of=0.05. The results showed that S. aquifolium juice contained steroids, saponins and tannins. Experimental animals fed an atherogenic diet showed an increase in cholesterol and MDA levels and atherosclerosis. Administration S. aquifolium juice 3x a day prevented increased cholesterol and MDA levels and prevented damage to the arterial profile. This study concludes that S. aquifolium juice contains bioactive compounds that can prevent an increase in cholesterol levels and prevent damage to the arterial profile.
