Avaliação do potencial antioxidante e hipolipemiante do extrato bruto de Monteverdia ilicifolia em modelo experimental de dislipidemia induzida

Abstract

Non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs) represent a significant global health burden, with dyslipidemia being a primary risk factor for their associated complications. Conventional treatments, although effective, present certain limitations and adverse effects, driving the exploration for novel phytotherapeutic alternatives using natural products. This study aimed to investigate the hypolipidemic and antioxidant potential of the crude ethanolic extract of Monteverdia ilicifolia leaves (EEBT-MI) using an induced in vivo model of hyperlipidemia. Hyperlipidemia was induced in C57BL/6 mice via intraperitoneal administration of Tyloxapol (400 mg/kg). The animals were administered with three doses of the extract (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) or with Simvastatin (20 mg/kg). Serum biochemical parameters evaluated included hepatic oxidative stress markers, fecal lipid excretion, and histopathological analyses of the liver. The results demonstrated that Tyloxapol drastically elevated total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the vehicle group (HL). Conversely, treatment with EEBT-MI, particularly at the 200 mg/kg dose (HM200) (p<0.05), promoted a significant reduction in these markers, bringing them closer to the levels observed in the healthy control group. Notably, multivariate cluster analysis confirmed that the 200 mg/kg dose was the most effective, exhibiting the highest metabolic similarity to healthy animals. Regarding the mechanism of action. It was observed that the extract may inhibit intestinal lipid absorption, as evidenced by increased fecal excretion, possibly by inhibiting key enzymes of lipid metabolism. Assessment of oxidative stress markers revealed that hyperlipidemia in the vehicle group caused significant damage, reducing the activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GPx). In contrast, the HM200 group restored the activity of these enzymes and increased total antioxidant capacity (FRAP), suggesting activation of the Nrf2 pathway. This differed from Simvastatin, which showed signs of hepatotoxicity through elevated ALT and AST transaminases, whereas EEBT-MI demonstrated hepatoprotective action (p<0.5). The Histopathological analyses confirmed these findings, showing that the extract-treated groups exhibited lower cytoplasmic vacuolization and better hepatic preservation compared to the HL group. In conclusion, these results support the therapeutic potential of M. ilicifolia extract as a natural alternative for managing hyperlipidemia, however, further clinical studies are recommended to confirm its efficacy as a hypolipidemic intervention.