Paper Title
Anethum Graveolens And Dill Tablet Normalized Lipid Profile Via Ldl-R And Hmg-Coa Reductase Genes Expression In High Cholesterol Fed Animals

Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was determination of the effect of Anethumgraveolens extract and anethumgraveolens (dill) tablet on lipid profile, liver enzymes and histological change and gene expression and enzymatic activity of LDL-R and HMG-CoA reductase in control and high cholesterol fed hamsters(HCD). Materials & Methods: Golden Syrian male hamsters (130 ± 10 g) were randomly divided into 6 groups (n=6) and received daily as following: Group 1: chow +2% cholesterol + 0.5% cholic acid, group 2: chow + 100 mg/kg hydroalcholic extract of dill +2% cholesterol + 0.5% cholic acid, group 3: chow + 200 mg/kg hydroalcholic extract of dill +2% cholesterol + 0.5% cholic acid, group 4: chow + 100 mg/kg dill tablet + 2% cholesterol+0.5% cholic acid, group 5: chow + 200 mg/kg dill tablet +2% cholesterol+0.5% cholic acid, and group 6: chow. After 1 month feeding, animals were anesthetized and sacrificed, biochemical factors were determined enzymatically. LDL-R and HMG-CoA reductase mRNA level was measured by Real time PCR and its activity was determined spectrophotometrically. Results: Compared with hypercholesterolemic group-1, lipid profile, blood glucose and liver enzymes significantly decreased in all dill tablet-received or dill extract-treated groups (p<0.05). The changes in HMG-CoA reductase gene expression level and enzyme activity were not significant in animals received 100 mg/kg of hydroalcholic extract or dill tablet, but werereduced in animals received 200 mg/kg of extract or tablet. The expression of LDL-R significantly increased in animals received 200 mg/kg of extract or tablet. Liver and heart antioxidant significantly increased by Anethum graveolens. Liver histopatological changes were normalized by Anethum graveolens. Conclusion: Dill can significantly reduce HMG-CoA reductase activity and its gene expression level in hypercholesterolemia. Anethum graveolens can also significantly increase LDL-R gene expression in HCD animals. This study showed that dill extract and dill tablet has potential hypocholesterolaemic properties in hamsters by inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase activity. Keywords: Anethum, Cholesterol, Hamster, HMG-CoA reductase, LDL-R