Hypolipidemic effect of dill seed (Anethum graveolens L.) essential oil on lipid profile and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor- γ expression in hyperlipidemic male rats

Abstract

Herbal medicines have been suggested for the treatment of hyperlipidemic disorders. The hypolipidemic activities of dill essential oil on lipid profile and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) expression in adipose tissue were studied in male rats with hyperlipidemia. The effects were studied and compared of dill essential oil and atorvastatin on serum lipid profile and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, histopathological damage of liver and PPARγ gene expression in the adipose tissue of male rats with hyperlipidemia. The treatment with dill decreased body weight, serum cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-C, ALT and AST levels, histopathological damage to the liver and PPARγ expression of adipose tissue, and increased serum HDL-C levels in experimental hyperlipidemic rats compared to the hyperlipidemic control rats, both significantly. The plant and atorvastatin improved hyperlipidemia, attenuated liver tissue damage and down-regulated PPARγ expression. So, dill could be defined as an excellent candidate for treatment of hyperlipidemia.