OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of berberine (BBR) on the liver phosphatidate phosphohydrolase (PAP) and plasma lipids in rats fed on high lipogenic and normal diet.

METHODSForty rats were randomly divided into 5 groups. Group I (control) received standard diet. Group II received standard diet plus 90 mg/kg BBR and Groups IV received lipogenic diet (containing sunflower oil, cholesterol and ethanol) without treatment. Groups III and V received lipogenic diet plus 90 mg/kg BBR and 30 mg/kg gemfibrozil, respectively. On Day 60 of the experiment, blood samples were collected and PAP, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein, malondialdehyde, plasma antioxidant, and liver histopathology assessments were conducted.

RESULTSPAP, plasma triglyceride, total cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein, and malondialdehyde levels decreased significantly (P<0.05) in Group III compared to Group IV (24.94%, 36.11%, 21.18%, 36.86% and 19.59%, respectively). The liver triglyceride and cholesterol in Groups III and V had a remarkable decrease (P<0.001) compared with Group IV (24.94% and 49.13%, respectively). There was a significant reduction (P<0.05) in atherogenic index in Groups III compared with Group IV.

CONCLUSIONSThese results clearly suggested that BBR could be effective in reducing liver PAP, lipid abnormality, liver triglyceride and lateral side effects of hyperlipidemia.