Effect of <i>Sargassum aquifolium</i> Juice on Lipid Profile and Inflammatory Cytokines in Hypercholesterolemic Rats

Obesity, a global health burden, is marked by increased lipid levels and chronic inflammation. <i>Sargassum aquifolium</i> is a brown seaweed rich in bioactive compounds that may improve lipid profile and inflammation. This study is aimed at evaluating the potential of <i>S. aquifolium</i> juice in modulating lipid profiles and inflammatory responses in hypercholesterolemic rats. High-performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (HPLC-HRMS) analysis identified bioactive compounds, including niacin, whose potential antihypercholesterolemic effect was supported by in silico PASS prediction. Male Wistar rats were divided into five groups: normal, hypercholesterolemic, and hypercholesterolemic rats fed <i>S. aquifolium</i> juice once, twice, and thrice daily for 120 days. The results showed that administration of <i>S. aquifolium</i> juice, especially twice daily, significantly reduced TG and total cholesterol, raised HDL, lowered AI and malondialdehyde (MDA), and modulated IL-4, TNF-<i>α</i>, and IL-1<i>β</i> expression by CD4⁺ cells. In hypercholesterolemic rats, IL-4 expression was lower, and TNF-<i>α</i> and IL-1<i>β</i> were higher than normal. However, <i>S. aquifolium</i> juice increased IL-4 and decreased TNF-<i>α</i> and IL-1<i>β</i>, suggesting an immunomodulatory effect. Niacin in <i>S. aquifolium</i> juice may improve lipid profiles and suppress inflammatory cytokines via NF-<i>κ</i>B inhibition and NLRP3 inflammasome modulation. Overall, these findings highlight the potential of <i>S. aquifolium</i> juice as a natural antihypercholesterolemic agent for managing hypercholesterolemia and preventing atherosclerosis, though further larger scale investigations are needed.