Title: Hypocholesterolemic effect of some plants and their blend as studied on albino rats

Authors: Nadia Saleh Al-Amoudi

Addresses: Department of Nutrition and Food Science, King Abd Al-Aziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract: This work was carried out to evaluate the hypocholesterolemia effect of esparto grass leaves, fenugreek seeds powder, myrrh resin and their blend (prepared using equal amounts of each) on albino rats. Half, fenugreek and the blend were added to basal diet at 5% and 10%, while myrrh added at 2.5% and 5% hypercholesterolemia raised serum TC, TG, LDL and VLDL while HDL declined. Feeding on mentioned plants reversed the mentioned change provided that efficacy was different where the blend mostly came first, being of highest effect (indicating a synergistic action) and fenugreek of lowest effect. Fenugreek seeds powder showed 34.50-43.75% decrease of AI compared to control (+). Serum glucose showed 31.25% increase due to hypercholesterolemia, and decreased from 141.13 mg dl⁻¹ (control+) to 97.1-127.0 mg dl⁻¹ by experimental diets; in this concern the blend diet was of highest effect. More studies are needed to confirm the effect of myrrh as overweight and obesity controller agent.

Keywords: hypocholesterolemic effect; plants; esparto grass; fenugreek seeds; myrrh resin; blend diet; nutrition; albino rats; internal organs; overweight; obesity control.

DOI: 10.1504/IJFSNPH.2009.029283

International Journal of Food Safety, Nutrition and Public Health, 2009 Vol.2 No.2, pp.176 - 188

Published online: 18 Nov 2009 *

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