Nerium oleander Distillate Can Reduce Oxidative Deoxyribonucleic Acid Damage in Rats Fed with High Cholesterol Diet

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the effect of Nerium oleander distillate on the high cholesterol diet(HCD) induced oxidative deoxyribonucleic acid damage via assessing blood 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine(8-OHdG) and superoxide dismutase(SOD) levels. Methodolody: Twenty-one male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided equally into three groups. The first group (control group) was fed a normal diet and administered 0.5 ml distilled water via gavage for 90 days. The second and third groups were fed with HCD. The second group was administered 0.5 ml distilled water and the third group was administered 0.5 ml Nerium oleander distillate(0.375 mg/rat) via gavage for 90 days, after being fed the HCD for two weeks. Blood samples were collected, and 8-OHdG and SOD levels were measured. Results: 8-OHdG levels were statistically significantly different in all groups. Highest 8-OHdG levels were determined in the second group whereas Nerium oleander treatment reduced the level of 8-OHdG. In addition, decreased SOD levels were detected in the rats fed with HCD(Groups 2 and 3) when compared to the control group.  Conclusion: It may be stated that HCD may cause oxidative damage in deoxyribonucleic acid and Nerium oleander distillate may reduce this damage. Hence, Nerium oleander distillate may show beneficial effects in the treatments of diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, and metabolic syndrome. In the future, it should investigate the effect of Nerium oleander distillate on different antioxidant pathways.