Bromelain ameliorates inflammation and hyperlipidemia by modulating oxidative stress and lipid metabolism in hyperlipidemic rats

Abstract Hyperlipidemia is the major cause of cardiovascular diseases(CVDs) and responsible for major deaths worldwide since it contains abnormal levels of circulating plasma lipids. Bromelain(BRO) is a bioactive compound obtained from the pineapple stem belonging to the Bromeliaceae family. Through the modulation of the inflammation pathway, BRO can be considered a promising natural therapeutic agent for improving human health problems. Therefore, the present study aims to evaluate the effect of BRO hypolipidemic, biochemical, histopathologically, and molecularly in hyperlipidemic rats. Total cholesterol(TC), triglyceride(TG), and LDL cholesterol(LDL-C), AST, and ALT values were measured from blood samples. Oxidative stress markers and histopathological examination were assessed in the heart and liver tissues. Finally, to determine Srebp-1c, Lxr-α, matrix metalloproteinases(MMP), and inflammation, the gene expressions of Il-1β, Il-6, and Tnf-α in the same tissues were examined. BRO treatment prevented the increase in hyperlipidemic levels caused by tyloxapol administration. It reduced the rise in LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels. In addition; lipid peroxidation levels induced by tyloxapol in rats showed that Bromelain protected the change in SOD and CAT activities by acting on oxidative stress parameters. BRO was also found to have a histopathologically protective effect against liver and heart tissue damage caused by hyperlipidemia. Inhibition of expression of Srebp-1c, Lxr-α, Mmp-2, Mmp-9 and proinflammatory cytokines Il-1β, Il-6, and Tnf-α genes also appeared. It was concluded that bromelain, an untested agent for hyperlipidemia, may be a promising new agent to reduce mortality and morbidity associated with free radical reactions, and inflammation in the liver and heart tissue.