Assessing the in vivo therapeutic properties of pear (Pyrus communis L.) as a natural substitute for lowering lipids in animals

This study aimed to assess the in vivo therapeutic potential of pear powder in the treatment of hyperlipidemia. Hyperlipidemic male albino rats were divided into three groups (n=10). The first group (G0) was considered as the control, while the second and third groups (G1 and G2) received 300 and 600mg/kg pear powder along with the basal diet, respectively, for 2 months. The experimental results showed that there was a significant reduction in the weight (235.61-210.52g) of the rats (from G0 to G2) after two months of study. Water intake and nutrient digestibility were higher in G2 than in G0. The reduction of the total cholesterol from (69.02 to 59.43mg/dL), triglycerides from (160.24 to 63.45mg/dL), and LDL from (50.83 to 17.08mg/dL) was noted, when G0 were compared with G2. Improvements in HDL levels were also recorded. Reductions in aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels were also recorded. Histopathological screening of control and pear powder-fed rats revealed a significant reduction in kidney and liver injury in the G2 group. Therefore, it can be concluded that pear powder, which is rich in bioactive substances, can be used as a medicinal food to prevent hyperlipidemia.