Zeitschrift für Ernährung und Lebensmittelwissenschaften
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Pleurotus florida Aqueous Extracts and Powder Influence Lipid Profile and Suppress Weight Gain in Rats Fed High Cholesterol Diet

Edith NF, Elias EL and Carl MFM

Pleurotus florida mushroom is a nutritious food with therapeutic potential. This study investigates the effects of P. florida aqueous extracts and powder on serum lipid profile and weight gain in rats fed high cholesterol (HC) diets. Twenty five male albino rats were partitioned into five groups (n = 5): BD: basal diet; HC: High Cholesterol diet; HCPFP5: HC plus 5% P. florida powder; HC-PFE5: HC plus 5% P. florida powder extract; HC-PFE7.5: HC plus 7.5% P. florida powder extract. Animals had free access to diets and water for 4 weeks. Results showed that weight gain was significantly (P < 0.05) suppressed in rats fed high cholesterol diet supplemented with P. florida powder or its extracts, compared to rats fed high cholesterol diet alone. Additionally, supplementation with P. florida increased fecal lipid excretion, while serum triglyceride, LDL, VLDL and total cholesterol decreased. HDL-C increased and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio decreased in rats fed P. florida. These results show that P. florida extracts like powders possess antihypercholesterolemic effects and prevent weight gain, thus reducing the risk for cardiovascular diseases. Mechanisms for these effects are suggested.