Effect of the Hydroalcoholic Extract of Winter Cherry Fruits (Physalis alkekengi) on Serum Lipid Profile and Paraoxonase Activity of Healthy Male Rats

Background: Paraoxonase enzyme is attached to HDL and is involved in the maturation of this lipoprotein. This enzyme is activated by several antioxidants. These antioxidants exist in Winter cherry (Physalis alkekengi). In fact, it contains a variety of antioxidants. Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of a hydro-alcoholic extract of winter cherry fruits on serum lipid profile and paraoxanase1 (Pon1) activity in the rat. Methods: In this randomized experimental study, hydroalcoholic extract of Physalis alkekengi fruits was obtained by a percolation method. Four groups of male Sprague Dawley rats (260 +/- 5 g), each containing 7 animals, were housed separately and fed standard rat chow and water ad libitum. Experiments were performed for 28 days on each group. Group1 (control 1) received only the standard diet, with no hydroalcoholic extract. Group 2 (control 2) received 1mL of water by gavage in addition to the standard diet. Groups 3 (experiment 1) and 4 (experiment2) received, respectively, 200 and 400 mg /kg b.w. of the extract in 1 mL of water through gavage. At the end of the experimental period, animals were fasted overnight and lipid profile and paraoxonase activity were determined and compared statistically by one way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc tests, using SPSS version 11.5 Results: Triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were decreased dose dependently by the extract. HDL cholesterol and serum paraoxonase activities were increased significantly by Physalis extract. Conclusions: The hydroalcoholic extract of Physalis alkekengi, possibly through the presence of antioxidants, increases paraoxonase activity and this enzyme, in turn, augments the level of HDL in serum.