Efeito hipocolesterolêmico do cubiu (Solanum sessiliflorum Dunal) em ratos

Abstract

Studies with fruit and vegetables rich in dietary fiber have shown lowering effect of blood concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), acting preventively against hypercholesterolemia. The aim of this study was to analyze the chemical composition of cubiu and evaluate the effect of the consumption of cubiu flour on lipemia of Wistar rats with hypercholesterolemia. There were used 8 animals for each treatment, in 7 groups: control; 3 experimental groups with 5%, 25% and 50% of the recommended fiber (AIN-93) from cubiu flour; 3 groups per feeding with pectin and cellulose as source of dietary fiber, in the same proportions of the experimental groups. At the end of the assay was verified that were not significant variation in the consumption of animals and the body weigth during the experiment. Treatments with cubiu flour were responsible for reducing concentrations of total cholesterol (-21.6%), LDL-c (-56.8%), increase the excretion of fecal cholesterol (+116%) and lower liver cholesterol (-32.1%). None of the treatments altered significantly triglyceride concentrations. Treatments with pectin and cellulose shown results similar to cubiu. The observed results can be used in further studies aimed at the biotechnological exploitation of this fruit.