Comprehensive studies have been carried out on Dayak onion (Eleutherine americana (aubl.) Merr) and its effects on cardiovascular health, specifically on dyslipidemia. However, its effect in relation to arterial stiffness has not been well-studied. This study aims to assess the impact of ethanol extracts of E. americana on high cholesterol levels and arterial stiffness in an animal model with dyslipidemia generated by a high-fat high-cholesterol (HFC) diet. Daily dosages of E. americana at 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg body weight (BW) were administered to the rats for 60 days and their lipid profile, arterial stiffness, heart rate (HR), and histopathology were measured and compared to rats receiving no treatment (negative control) and simvastatin at 1.8 mg/kg BW (positive control). The results indicated that an HFC diet increases the likelihood of cardiovascular issues by raising lipid levels and encouraging the progression of atherosclerosis. This then leads to an increase in arterial stiffness and HR. The ethanol extract of E. americana successfully prevented the rise in lipid profiles and the progression of atherosclerosis, hence preventing HR from increasing and arterial stiffness. The highest effective dosage of E. americana was 100 mg/kg BW, with 50 mg/kg BW yielding similar performance to 1.8 mg/kg BW of simvastatin.
Key words: Dayak Onion, Eleutherine americana, Arterial stiffness, Antidyslipidemia, High-fat High-cholesterol Diet.
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