Portulaca oleracea reduces triglyceridemia, cholesterolemia, and improves lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase activity in rats fed enriched-cholesterol diet.

Abstract Purpose The effects of Portulaca oleracea ( Po ) lyophilized aqueous extract were determined on the serum high-density lipoproteins (HDL 2 and HDL 3 ) amounts and composition, as well as on lecithin: cholesterol acyltansferase (LCAT) activity. Methods Male Wistar rats ( n  = 12) were fed on 1% cholesterol-enriched diet for 10 days. After this phase, hypercholesterolemic rats (HC) were divided into two groups fed the same diet supplemented or not with Portulaca oleracea ( Po -HC) (0.5%) for four weeks. Results Serum total cholesterol (TC) and triacylglycerols (TG), and liver TG values were respectively 1.6-, 1.8-, and 1.6-fold lower in Po -HC than in HC group. Cholesterol concentrat…