Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of Myrtus communis (Myrtus communis ) extract to attenuate endothelial dysfunction as well as risk of atherosclerosis in ovaricotmized rats as a common model of postmenopausal.
Materials and methods : Sixty female albino rats, weighing 180 ± 20 g were used and divided into four groups (sham, sham+Myrtus communis , ovarictomized (OVX) and treated group).Plasma estrogen, cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL),low density lipoprotein (LDL), asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), von Willebrand factor (vWF),interleukin 1beta (IL-1β) , Lipoxin A4 (LXA4), aortic nitric oxide (NO), superoxide dismutase (SOD),catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in addition to erythrocyte membrane fatty acids were determined.
Results: Ovaricotmized rats showed a significant increase in inflammatory and oxidant parameters while, Myrtus communis extract administration in a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight for two months attenuates these values in treated group.
Conclusions: Myrtus communis extract confirmed our idea in protecting from atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction in ovarictomized rats due to its high content of anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds in addition to its high content of ω-3 fatty acids.
Key words: Myrtus communis leaves extract, ovariectomized rats, estrogen, lipoxin A4, fatty acids, HPLC.
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