Hypolipidemic and Anti-atherogenic Effect of Sulphated Polysaccharides from the Green Alga Ulva fasciata

Hypercholesterolemia (HC) is frequently associated with oxidative stress, and release of inflammatory cytokines and results in the formation and accumulation of plaque deposits in the arteries, where it produces numerous functional and structural alterations in the vascular wall that lead to the development of atherosclerosis or coronary heart disease (CHD). Statins have been shown to effectively lower LDL-C levels and reduce both mortality and morbidity associated with coronary heart disease, although there is a significant percentage of individuals for whom statin therapy will not prevent the occurrence of adverse events. There is an obvious need for more efficacious and alternative treatment options. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the atheropreventive activity of sulphated polysaccharides (SPs) of Ulva fasciata against induced hypercholesterolemia in rats. Different groups of rats were administered a high cholesterol diet to assess the lipid profile, inflammatory markers (IL-10, MPO) and cell adhesion molecules (ICAM-1 and VCAM-1), oxidative stress marker (NO) before and after treatment with the algal polysaccharides. Oral administration of Ulva fasciata crude cold and hot extracts to HC-rats for four consecutive weeks did not exert any side effects, whereas reduced serum lipid profile level and improved the endothelial dysfunction. Treatment with the algal SPs was effectively improved these disorders and diminished the presence of atherogenic plaques in the aorta more than the reference drug fluvastatin. It could thus be concluded that the consumption of UFP (Ulva fasciata polysaccharides), may be associated with attenuation of inflammatory markers that in turn lead to control hypercholesterolemia and its related disorders. These results suggest that SPs may be beneficial in ameliorating hypercholesterolemia- associated heart injury probably by attenuation of lipid profile, inflammatory markers, and atherogenic plaque formation in heart, that in turn lead to control hypercholesterolemia and its related disorders; such as obesity, and heart disease.