Hypolipidemic effect of diet supplementation with cocona (Solanum sessiliflorum Dunal) flour in hypercholesterolemic rats

Studies with fruit and vegetables rich in dietary fiber have shown lowering effects on the blood concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), acting preventively against hypercholesterolemia. The aim of this study was to analyze the chemical composition of cocona and evaluate the effect of the consumption of cocona flour on lipemia of Wistar rats with hypercholesterolemia. Eight animals were used for each treatment, in 7 groups: control; 3 experimental groups with 5%, 25% and 50% of the recommended fiber (AIN-93) from cocona flour; 3 groups per feeding with pectin and cellulose as source of dietary fiber, in the same proportions of the experimental groups. At the end of the assay, we verified that there were not significant variations in the consumption of the animals and the body weight during the experiment. Treatments with cocna flour were responsible for reducing the concentrations of total cholesterol (-21.6%), LDL-c (-56.8%), increasing the excretion of fecal cholesterol (+116%) and lowering the liver cholesterol (-32.1%). None of the treatments significantly altered the triglyceride concentrations. Treatments using pectin and cellulose show results similar to cocona. The observed results can be used in further studies aimed at the biotechnological exploitation of this fruit.

Solanum sessiliflorum Dunal; cocona; dietary fiber; hypercholesterolemia