Hypolipemic and hypoglycaemic activity of bergamot polyphenols: from animal models to human studies.
Bergamot juice produces hypolipemic activity in rats though the mechanism remains unclear. Here we investigated on the effect of bergamot extract (BPF) in diet-induced hyperlipemia in Wistar rats and in 237 patients suffering from hyperlipemia either associated or not with hyperglycaemia. BPF, given orally for 30 days to both rats and patients, reduces total and LDL cholesterol levels (an effect accompanied by elevation of cHDL), triglyceride levels and by a significant decrease in blood glucose. Moreover, BPF inhibited HMG-CoA reductase activity and enhanced reactive vasodilation thus representing an efficient phytotherapeutic approach in combating hyperlipemic and hyperglycaemic disorders.
Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacobiological Sciences, University Magna Graecia, Catanzaro, Italy. mollace@libero.it
Vincenzo
V
Mollace
Iolanda
I
Sacco
Elzbieta
E
Janda
Claudio
C
Malara
Domenica
D
Ventrice
Carmen
C
Colica
Valeria
V
Visalli
Saverio
S
Muscoli
Salvatore
S
Ragusa
Carolina
C
Muscoli
Domenicantonio
D
Rotiroti
Franco
F
Romeo
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002957:Citrus / Q000737:chemistry*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006903:Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases / Q000378:metabolism; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D008055:Lipids; D010936:Plant Extracts; D006903:Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases