The Effects of Aromatic Water of Salix aegyptiaca L. and its Major Component, 1,4-Dimethoxybenzene, on Lipid and Lipoprotein Profiles and Ethology of Normolipidemic Rabbits

We earlier reported that 1,4-dimethoxybenzene (DMB) was major component of aromatic water (AW) of Salix aegyptiaca L, Salicaceae, (SA). Here, Forty-eight male albino rabbits were divided into six equal groups: negative control (NC) group was gavaged with distilled water; positive control (PC) group was gavaged with simvastatin (0.6 mg/kg);SA1X and SA3X groups were gavaged with AW contains 1 mg/dl and 3 mg/dl essential oil, respectively and DMB1X and DMB3X were gavaged with 0.6 mg/dl and 1.8 mg/dl DMB, respectively. Serum total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations increased after 28 days in DMB-treated groups compared with NC group. The AW decreased TC level similar to the simvastatin-treated groups. DMB and SA intake did not positively modify highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triacylglycerides (TGs) levels compared to NC group and similar levels of very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), HDL-C and LDL-C in SA-treated groups compared to NC showed that SA could not positively modify lipoprotein profile in normolipidemic rabbits. The atherogenic index level was higher in DMB3X group compared to NC and SIM groups. Stereotypies like body whirling, biting, escaping attempt and head shaking behaviors have been observed in DMB-treated groups.