Effect of Doum (Hyphaene Thebaica) Mesocarp and Endosperm Extracts on Triton X-100 Induced Hyperlipidemic Rat: Mitigative Cardiovascular and Renal Dysfunction Risks

Why It Matters

Hyperlipidemia drives cardiovascular disease and kidney injury, yet statins carry adverse effects. Demonstrating that Doum mesocarp and endosperm can safely mitigate these risks offers a promising plant‑based therapeutic avenue.

Key Takeaways

• High-dose mesocarp reduces lipids, CVD risk, improves kidneys.
• Low-dose endosperm shows stronger hypolipidemic effect than high dose.
• Both extracts restore antioxidant enzymes and lower renal oxidative stress.
• Effects comparable to atorvastatin with fewer side‑effects.
• Dose‑dependent response suggests optimal dosing for each tissue.

Pulse Analysis

Hyperlipidemia remains a leading driver of cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney impairment worldwide, prompting a search for therapies that balance efficacy with safety. Conventional statins, while effective at lowering LDL‑C, are associated with muscle pain, hepatic stress, and potential renal toxicity, creating market demand for nutraceutical alternatives. The Doum palm (Hyphaene thebaica), native to the Arabian Peninsula and parts of Africa, has long been used in traditional diets, yet its medicinal potential—particularly the under‑explored endosperm—has only recently entered scientific scrutiny.

In a controlled animal model, researchers administered aqueous extracts of Doum mesocarp (DM) and endosperm (DE) at 500 mg/kg and 1,000 mg/kg to rats with Triton X‑100‑induced hyperlipidemia. High‑dose DM delivered the most pronounced hypolipidemic response, slashing triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL‑C to near‑normal levels while normalizing coronary artery and atherogenic indices. Surprisingly, the lower DE dose outperformed its higher counterpart, suggesting a biphasic dose‑response possibly linked to its mannan‑rich polysaccharide profile. Both extracts boosted renal antioxidant enzymes (GHPx, SOD, CAT) and curtailed malondialdehyde, translating into nephroprotection rates rivaling atorvastatin.

These findings carry significant commercial implications. A plant‑derived lipid‑lowering agent with comparable efficacy to statins but a milder side‑effect profile could capture a sizable segment of the nutraceutical market, especially among patients seeking “statin‑free” options. Further human trials are needed to confirm dosing thresholds, safety, and long‑term outcomes, but the dose‑dependent efficacy of Doum’s mesocarp and endosperm positions them as attractive candidates for functional food formulations and pharmaceutical development.