Reduction of plasma homocysteine and 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α concentrations in hypercholesterolemic rats treated with clove essential oil

Cardiovascular diseases are associated with a chronic state of oxidative stress that is induced by fat accumulation. The current study aims to investigate the potential effects of oral consumption of clove essential oil on the lipid profile, oxidative stress markers and antioxidant enzyme activity, in hypercholesterolemic rats. Two groups of Wistar rats were fed a cholesterol-enriched diet supplemented (CEO) or not (HC) with 4 mg/kg b.w of clove essential oil, for six weeks. A control group (C) was fed a standard diet during the experiment. After six weeks, in clove essential oil treated as compared to untreated hypercholesterolemic rats, daily supplementation with essential oil attenuated serum levels of total cholesterol (-57%), LDL-cholesterol (-28%), triacyglycerols (-26%), total homocysteine (-17%) and 8-Iso-prostaglandin F2α (-39%). Furthermore, TBARS values were decreased in LDL (-37%), liver (-45%) and adipose tissue (-34%). Interestingly, clove essential oil increased respectively thioredoxin reductase activity in liver and adipose tissue by +67% and +66%, respectively. These results demonstrate the therapeutic potential of clove essential oil to reduce dyslipidemia, oxidative stress by increasing the thioredoxin reductase activity.