Effect of Ethanol Extract of the Fruiting Bodies of Pleurotus Ostreatus on Serum Lipid Profile and Atherogenic Indices of HS-HFD-STZ Induced Diabetic Rats

The effect of ethanol extract of the fruiting bodies of Pleurotus ostreatus on serum lipid profile and atherogenic indices of high sucrose high fat diet streptozotocin (HS-HFD-STZ) induced diabetic rats was determined by standard methods. All the groups were fed high sucrose-high fat diet except the normal group. The Metformin HCl and ethanol extract was given once daily by gavage to the reference and experimental groups respectively at doses of 150mg/Kg b.w., 50mg/Kg b.w, 150mg/Kg b.w. and 300mg/Kg b.w. respectively while the normal control received saline solution. The HDL-cholesterol level was higher than the value of the disease group after 6 weeks of administration of extract at 300mg/kg and after 9 weeks administration of extract at 150mg/kg. HDL cholesterol concentration increased by 22.2% after 6 weeks of extract administration at 300mg/kg and by 16.7% and 28.3% respectively after 9 weeks of extract administration at 150mg/kg and 50mg/kg respectively, indicating that the POE extract has the capacity to reduce cardiovascular diseases. At all the doses of extract administered for treatment at 3 weeks, 6 weeks and 9 weeks intervals, there was dose and time dependent lowering of LDL: HDL ratio even below the recommended risk limit of ≤ 2.5 compared to the test control with value above 2.5. After 3 weeks of treatment with extract at administration concentration level of 150mg/kg, atherogenic indices were lowered and extract levels of 150mg/kg and 300mg/kg reduced atherogenic index value after 6 weeks of administration while after 9 weeks of treatment, extract at 150mg/kg concentration reduced atherogenic indices. The atherogenic indices of the diabetic animals under treatment were dose-and time dependently reduced by POE treatment as observed in this study.These results suggest a possible use of the extracts in the management of hyperlipidemic conditions, hypertension and associated complications.