Researchers tested whether a combination of a South American berry called Physalis peruviana and beneficial bacteria (probiotics) could help lower cholesterol and reduce inflammation in rats fed a high-fat diet. After 7 weeks, the combination treatment worked almost as well as a common cholesterol medication called atorvastatin, reducing harmful cholesterol and triglycerides while increasing good cholesterol. The treatment also improved liver and kidney function and reduced inflammation in heart and liver tissues. While these results are promising, this study was done in rats, so more research in humans is needed before we know if it would work the same way for people.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a natural combination of a berry extract and helpful bacteria could lower cholesterol and reduce body inflammation as effectively as prescription cholesterol medications
  • Who participated: 30 male laboratory rats divided into 6 groups, some eating normal food and others eating a high-fat diet designed to raise their cholesterol
  • Key finding: Rats that received both the berry extract and bacterial treatment had significantly lower cholesterol, triglycerides, and body weight, plus higher levels of good cholesterol (HDL), with results comparable to rats given the prescription drug atorvastatin
  • What it means for you: This suggests natural alternatives might help manage high cholesterol, but human studies are needed to confirm these results work the same way in people and to determine safe doses

The Research Details

Scientists divided 30 rats into six groups and fed them different diets and supplements for 7 weeks. One group ate normal food (the healthy control), another ate only high-fat food (the unhealthy control), and four groups ate high-fat food plus different treatments: just the berry extract, just the bacterial supplement, both together, or a prescription cholesterol drug. The researchers then measured cholesterol levels, liver and kidney function, and looked at tissue samples under a microscope to see if there was inflammation.

This type of study is called a controlled animal experiment because the scientists carefully controlled what each group received and compared the results between groups. By using rats, researchers can test treatments more quickly and safely than they could in humans, but results in animals don’t always translate directly to people.

Animal studies like this help scientists understand how natural substances might work in the body before testing them in humans. This research is important because many people experience side effects from cholesterol medications, so finding natural alternatives could help those who can’t tolerate current drugs.

This study was well-designed with clear groups, a good control group (rats on the same high-fat diet), and comparison to a known effective drug. However, it was only done in rats, not humans, so results may not apply directly to people. The study was relatively short (7 weeks), so we don’t know about long-term effects. The sample size of 30 rats is reasonable for an animal study but relatively small.

What the Results Show

The combination treatment of berry extract plus bacterial lysates significantly reduced total cholesterol, triglycerides (blood fats), and LDL (bad cholesterol) while increasing HDL (good cholesterol) in rats on a high-fat diet. The improvements were statistically significant, meaning they were unlikely to happen by chance. Importantly, the combination treatment worked almost as well as atorvastatin, a prescription medication that’s one of the most commonly used cholesterol drugs.

The treatment also helped rats lose weight and improved markers of liver and kidney function, suggesting the organs were healthier. When researchers examined tissue samples under a microscope, they found less inflammation in the heart and liver tissues of rats receiving the combination treatment, which is important because inflammation contributes to heart disease.

The berry extract alone and the bacterial supplement alone both showed some benefits, but the combination was significantly more effective than either treatment by itself, suggesting the two work together synergistically.

Beyond cholesterol levels, the combination treatment improved liver function markers and kidney function markers, indicating these organs were protected from damage caused by the high-fat diet. The treatment also increased antioxidant activity in the liver, meaning the liver was better able to fight harmful molecules called free radicals that can damage cells. These secondary findings suggest the treatment protects overall health, not just cholesterol levels.

This research builds on earlier studies showing that probiotics and plant extracts can help with cholesterol. The novelty here is combining these two approaches and showing they work together better than separately. The results are consistent with previous research suggesting Physalis peruviana has antioxidant properties and that certain Lactobacillus bacteria can help lower cholesterol.

The biggest limitation is that this study was done in rats, not humans, so we can’t be certain the results would be the same in people. The study lasted only 7 weeks, which is relatively short, so we don’t know about long-term safety or effectiveness. The researchers didn’t test different doses, so we don’t know what amount would be best for humans. Additionally, the study didn’t examine potential side effects in detail or test the treatment in rats with other health conditions that often occur alongside high cholesterol.

The Bottom Line

Based on this animal research, the combination of Physalis peruviana extract and Lactobacillus bacterial lysates shows promise as a potential natural approach to managing high cholesterol. However, human clinical trials are needed before this can be recommended as a treatment. If you have high cholesterol, continue taking prescribed medications as directed by your doctor. You might discuss with your healthcare provider whether adding foods rich in probiotics (like yogurt) and antioxidants (like berries) could complement your current treatment, but don’t stop or replace medications without medical guidance.

People with high cholesterol or those at risk for heart disease should find this interesting, especially those who experience side effects from statin medications. However, this research is preliminary and not yet ready for practical application in humans. People currently taking cholesterol medications should not change their treatment based on this study alone.

In the rat study, significant changes appeared within 7 weeks. If similar treatments were tested in humans, it would likely take several months to see meaningful changes in cholesterol levels, and years of research would be needed to confirm safety and effectiveness.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily probiotic and antioxidant-rich food intake (servings of yogurt, berries, and other fermented foods) alongside cholesterol levels checked at regular doctor visits to monitor if dietary additions correlate with improvements
  • Add one serving of probiotic-rich food (like unsweetened yogurt or kefir) and one serving of antioxidant-rich berries to your daily diet, tracking consistency and any changes in how you feel or energy levels
  • Log weekly adherence to probiotic and antioxidant foods, then compare trends to cholesterol test results from your doctor every 3-6 months to see if dietary changes correlate with improvements

This research was conducted in laboratory rats and has not been tested in humans. The findings are preliminary and should not be used to replace prescribed cholesterol medications. High cholesterol is a serious medical condition that requires professional medical supervision. Before making any changes to your cholesterol treatment or diet, consult with your healthcare provider or cardiologist. This summary is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Do not stop taking cholesterol medications based on this research without explicit guidance from your doctor.