Cholesterol reduction and increase of antioxidant capacity by chronic consumption of andrean purple corn (Zea mays) in hypercholesterolemic rats

Abstract

Objetives: To determine the hypocholesterolemic antioxidant activity of the Andean purple corn (Zea mays L) hydroalcoholic extract atomized chronic consumption in hypercholesterolemic rats. Material and methods: Five groups of six Holtzmann rats each were used, one without hypercholesterolemia (negative control), and four with induced hypercholesterolemia by oral intake of pure cholesterol by 60 days: positive control and three for doses of 250, 500 y 1000 mg/kg, respectively. In 60 day were determin the seric levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL cholesterol (mg/dL), as well as malondialdehyde (mmol/L) to determine the antioxidant activity. We compared the mean differneces with ANOVA and Tukey test. Results: We observed a decrease in total cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic rats that consumed Andean purple corn doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg in compared whit positive control group (reduction of 21,5 y 11,2% respectively, p<0,01). No significant differences in levels of triglycerides and HDL cholesterol were observed. A higher dose is purple corn was a further reduction of free radicals, with a dose of 1000 mg/kg decreased by 56.4%, levels of malondialdehyde (p< 0,01). Conclusions: In experimental conditions, the chronic consumption of the hydroalcoholic atomized extract of Andean purple corn decreased total cholesterol and increased the antioxidant capacity.