Sargassum aquifolium juice prevents raised cholesterol levels and liver histopathological damage in rats fed an atherogenic diet Saffira Anindita Mulyono (1*), Muhamad Firdaus (2)
1 Student of Fisheries and Marine Science of Brawijaya University, Malang, Indonesia
2 Lecturer of Fisheries and Marine Science of Brawijaya University, Malang, Indonesia
*aanindita[at]student.ub.ac.id
Abstract
Hypercholesterolemia is a metabolic disorder characterized by high cholesterol levels in the blood. This disorder can lead to liver cirrhosis. This study aimed to prevent cholesterol rise and cirrhosis in the liver of rats. S. aquifolium was taken from Ekas Bay, West Nusa Tenggara. Wistar rats (Rattus novergicus) aged 2-3 months, weighing approximately 150 g were used as test animals and fed an atherogenic diet for 6 months. The phytochemical analysis was performed by the Harborne method. This study consisted of 5 treatments, each group containing 3 rats. The parameters observed were cholesterol levels and liver profiles. The statistical analysis used was an analysis of variance and a confidence interval of 5%. The results showed that S. aquifolium juice contained tannins, saponins and steroids. Rats fed with an atherogenic diet show elevated levels of cholesterol and cirrhosis of the liver. However, administering S. aquifolium juice twice a day could prevent increased cholesterol levels and damage to the liver profile, but giving S. aquifolium juice three times a day has a toxic impact. In conclusion, S. aquifolium juice contains bioactive compounds that could inhibit an increase in cholesterol levels and damage the liver profile in rats fed an atherogenic diet.
Keywords: S. aquifolium, functional food, phytochemical, hypercholesterolemia, liver histopathological profile
Topic: Fisheries Product Technology and Food Safety (International)
