Investigation of protective effects of hawthorn (Crataegus tanacetifolia) fruit extract and hawthorn fruit vinegar against experimental hyperlipidemia and possible endothelial damage in rats

In this study, to prevent hyperlipidemia, is primary cause of atherosclerosis and heart attacks which leading causes of death, we investigated effectiveness of fruit extract and vinegar of naturally grown Crataegus tanacetifolia on total-, LDL- and HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, homocysteine, P-Selectin and VCAM-1, which was involved in atherogenesis mechanism. Experimentally hyperlipidemia-induced rats were divided into seven groups; Control, HL (Hyperlipidemia), HL+8 weeks Crataegus extract (CE), HL+4 weeks CE, Crataegus vinegar (CV) after 4 weeks HL, Normal diet (ND)+CV after 4 weeks HL, ND+CE after 4 weeks HL. CE and CV were administrated by gavage to rats. Total-, LDL- and HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, homocysteine, P-Selectin and VCAM-1 levels were measured in serum which was obtained from collected blood samples at the end of 4. and 8. week of experiment. Obtained findings showed that, addition of both CE and CV to diet has highlighted reductions in total- and LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, homocysteine and P-Selectin levels and elevations in HDL-cholesterol level. As a result, findings of this study which was designed based on the theory of CE and CV may diminish atherosclerosis risk which increases with hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, hyperhomocysteinemia and elevated levels of adhesion molecules in high fat diet indicates that although both CE and CV show strong anti-atherogenic effect, this effect becomes more stronger when combined with low fat diet. Keywords: Hawthorn, Hawthorn vinegar, Crataegus tanacetifolia, Hiperlipidemia, Ateroskleroz.