The Biological Study on the Effect of Different Doses of Bael Fruit Powder (Aeglemarmelos L, Correa) on Hypercholesterolemia in Rats

The present study was conducted to investigate the biological effects of Aegle marmelos (Aegle marmelos L, Correa) powder (5,10 and 15%) on the biological and histological activities of rats. The experiment was carried out on 40 male Albino rats divided into 5 equal groups (8 rats per each); the first group fed on basal diet and kept as a (control-). Rats in the other four groups fed on basal diet containing 1.5% cholesterol plus 0.25% bile salts for 2 weeks to induce hypercholesterolemia, then those rats were subdivided into the following groups: a group that remained as hypercholesterolemic (control+) [2^nd group], a group that fed on hypercholesterolermic  diet plus Aegle marmelos powder 5% [3^rd group]; a group that fed on hypercholesterolemic diet plus Aegle marmelos powder 10% [4^th group]; a group that fed on hypercholesterolermic diet plus Aegle marmelos powder 15% [5^th group].  The statistical analysis showed a significant decrease in total cholesterol of all treated groups with aegle marmelos powder when compared with (control +). The lowest decrease in all treated group in cholesterol was recorded in aegle marmelos powder 15% (112.490 ± 2.441). Also, the best result of serum triglycerides level was observed in the group fed on basal diet containing aegle marmelos powder 15% (11.167±1.975).
            The results showed that with increasing the amount of Aegle marmelos powder, the total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, AST, ALT, uric acid, urea nitrogen, creatinine and glucose levels decreased significantly (P<0.05) when compared with control (+). It was concluded that, percentage of aegle marmelos (15%) supplementation gave the best results in modification of lipid profile and other biochemical parameters in hypercholesterolemic rats. Encouraging increase aegle marmelos fruit cultivation in Egypt and increasing the area of propagation of this plant in different botanical gardens in Egypt. Nutrition education programs should be encouraged to inform the public about the nutritive and therapeutic value of aegle marmelos fruit.