Tinjauan Efek Antihiperkolesterolemik Ekstrak Etanol Umbi Yakon (Smallanthus sonchifolius)

Abstract. Metabolic syndrome is a metabolic disorder characterized by central obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. One of the main lipid abnormalities associated with metabolic syndrome is elevated total cholesterol levels, which contribute to the development of atherosclerosis. Long-term use of lipid-lowering drugs such as simvastatin may cause adverse metabolic effects, prompting the exploration of alternative therapies based on natural products. Ethanol extract of yacon tuber (Smallanthus sonchifolius) contains fructooligosaccharides, inulin, and phenolic compounds that have the potential to modulate lipid metabolism. This study aims to review the potential of ethanol extract of yacon tuber in reducing total cholesterol levels in metabolic syndrome. This article is a literature review using relevant studies related to metabolic syndrome, hypercholesterolemia, ethanol extract of yacon tuber, and their bioactive components, as well as their lipid-lowering and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. The ethanol extract contains fructooligosaccharides, inulin, and phenolic compounds such as chlorogenic acid, which contribute to the inhibition of endogenous cholesterol synthesis, reduction of systemic inflammation, improvement of insulin sensitivity, and modulation of lipid metabolism. Abstrak. Sindrom metabolik merupakan gangguan metabolik yang ditandai oleh obesitas sentral, resistensi insulin, dislipidemia, serta peningkatan risiko penyakit kardiovaskular. Salah satu kelainan lipid utama yang menyertai sindrom metabolik adalah peningkatan kadar kolesterol total yang berperan dalam proses aterosklerosis. Penggunaan jangka panjang obat penurun lipid seperti simvastatin dapat menimbulkan berbagai efek samping metabolik, sehingga mendorong pencarian terapi alternatif berbasis bahan alam. Ekstrak etanol umbi yakon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) diketahui mengandung fruktooligosakarida, inulin, dan senyawa fenolik yang berpotensi memodulasi metabolisme lipid. Artikel ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji potensi ekstrak etanol umbi yakon dalam menurunkan kadar kolesterol total pada sindrom metabolik. Penulisan artikel ini merupakan studi literature review yang menggunakan berbagai sumber pustaka relevan terkait sindrom metabolik, hiperkolesterolemia, ekstrak etanol umbi yakon, serta mekanisme penurunan kolesterol dan efek antiinflamasi yang ditimbulkannya. Kandungan fruktooligosakarida, inulin, dan senyawa fenolik seperti asam klorogenat dalam ekstrak etanol umbi yakon berperan dalam penghambatan sintesis kolesterol endogen, penurunan inflamasi sistemik, peningkatan sensitivitas insulin, serta perbaikan metabolisme lipid.