Hypolipidemic and Antiatherogenic Effects of Aqueous Extract of Libyan Propolis in Lead Acetate Intoxicated Male Albino Mice

Hyperlipidemia is a major cause of atherosclerosis and atherosclerosis-associated conditions. Coronary artery disease is the epidemic of modern civilization in which dyslipidemia contributes significantly to its pathogenesis. Flavonoids and various phenolics are the most important pharmacologically active constituents in propolis capable of scavenging free radicals and thereby protecting lipids from being oxidized or destroyed during oxidative damage. The aim of this study was to investigate the hypolipidemic and antiatherogenic effects of aqueous extract of Libyan propolis in lead acetate intoxicated male albino mice. In this study, Thirty two adult male albino were used for this study and divided into four groups. The first group was control group, the 2nd was the propolis group orally received propolis (200 mg/kg body wt), the 3rd was the experimental and received lead acetate (500 mg /kg diet), the 4th one co-administered lead acetate (500 mg/kg diet) with propolis (200 mg/kg body wt) daily for 30 days. Blood samples were obtained for assessment of serum cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, parameters. In lead treated animals, the serum cholesterol, triglycerides, HDLc, LDLc, VLDL, Castellis Risk Index I (TC/HDLc), Castellis Risk Index II (LDLc/HDLc), Atherogenic Coefficient { (TC- HDLc) /HDLc } and Atherogenic Index of Plasma{ (AIP) = log (TG/HDLC) } parameters were increased and serum HDLc was decreased. Co-administration of propolis significantly improved of lipids profile parameters the ratios based on these parameters. Serum cholesterol, triglycerides, non HDLc, LDLc, VLDL, Castellis Risk Index I (TC/HDLc), Castellis Risk Index II (LDLc/HDLc), Atherogenic Coefficient { (TC- HDLc) /HDLc } and Atherogenic Index of Plasma{ (AIP) = log (TG/HDLC) } parameters were significantly declined and serum HDLc was elevated. It can be concluded that, the lead had adverse effects on serum lipids profile parameters and the ratios based on these parameters. Propolis showed hypolipidemic and antiatherogenic effects in lead acetate intoxicated male albino mice. So, the populations of high risk to lead should be advised to take propolis.