Authors

1 Assistant Professor of Physiology, Department of Biology, Izeh Branch, Islamic Azad University, Izeh, Iran

2 Midwife, Medical Plants Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran

3 Postgraduate of Histology, Medical Plants Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran

4 Postgraduate of Animal Physiology, Medical Plants Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran

5 Veterinary Doctor, Medical Plants Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran

6 Professor of Pharmacology, Medical Plants Research Center, Shahrkord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran

Abstract

Background and Aims: A transient increase of blood concentration of lipids after meal is able to increase
the risk of atherogenesis. This study aimed to determine the effects of Anethum graveolens L. (dill)
consumption on atherosclerosis and hepatic risk factors.
Methods: In an experimental study, 32 male New Zealand rabbits were randomly allocated to four groups to
receive normal diet, a diet containing 1% cholesterol, a diet containing 1% cholesterol plus 200 mg/kg dill
powder, and a diet containing 10 mg/kg lovastatin. Risk factors of atherosclerosis including glucose, total
cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), apolipoprotein B (ApoB), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate
aminotransferase (AST), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), nitrite, nitrate, fibrinogen, and factor
VII were measured and compared between different groups.
Results: Consumption of dill caused a significant reduction in glucose compared to the
hypercholesterolemic diet group. Dill powder significantly decreased LDL-C, TC, AST, ALT, and
fibrinogen. No significant differences were found between dill group and hypercholesterolemic diet group in
ApoB, factor VII, nitrite, and nitrate.
Conclusion: According to our findings, postprandial consumption of dill may have beneficial effects on
atherosclerosis and hepatic risk factors.

Keywords