Effect of calafate (Berberis microphylla) supplementation on lipid profile in rats with diet-induced obesity

Background: Polyphenols represent a group of bioactive compounds of interest for their efficacy in the prevention and treatment of some diseases of a cardiovascular nature. Calafate (Berberis microphylla) is a native Chilean fruit, promising due to its high number of phenolic compounds, with predominance of anthocyanins delphinidin-3-hexoside and petunidin-3-hexoside. Methods: Sprague Dawley rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD) were supplemented with 350 mg/kg of freeze-dried calafate for 10 weeks. Dietary variables, plasma glucose, lipid profile, as well as atherogenic and cardiovascular risk indexes were measured. Results: Animals receiving calafate with their HFD diet compared to the HFD control was not associated with significant modifications in dietary variables or in total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations. However, due to the modest elevation of high-density lipoproteins, the Atherogenic Index and the Cardiovascular Risk Index were significantly decreased. Conclusion: Based on these results, the calafate could have an antithrombotic function, favoring cardiovascular health.