TITLE:
Hypolipidemic and Antioxidative Effects of African Star Apple Juice (Chrysophylum albidum) on Rats Fed on Diets High in Cholesterol and Oil
AUTHORS:
Modupe F. Bobadoye, Oluwaseun O. Bamisi, Victor N. Enujiugha
KEYWORDS:
Chrysophyllum albidum, Atherosclerosis, Antioxidant Activity, Hypolipidemic Effects, Oxidative Stress
JOURNAL NAME:
Food and Nutrition Sciences,
Vol.7 No.10,
August
23,
2016
ABSTRACT: This study investigated the possible hypolipidemic and antioxidative
effects of Chrysophylum albidum juice in rats fed on
highcholesterol and fatty diets (HFCD). The juice was expressed, pasteurized
and frozen until needed. Diets were formulated by mixing at different ratios.
Bio-assay of the blends was carried out for a period of 28 days. Twenty five
male rats were divided into five groups of five each: a normal diet group, a
high-cholesterol diet group, a high Fat/Cholesterol diet with 3 ml of African
Star Apple Juice group, a high Fat/Cholesterol diet with 6 ml of African Star
Apple Juice group, and a high Fat/Cholesterol diet with 9 ml of African Star
Apple Juice group. Blood serum, selected tissues and organs were collected and
the serum lipid profile, organ histology and oxidative stress test were carried
out at the end of the animal experimentation. The levels of total cholesterol,
triglyceride, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, very low density
lipoprotein-cholesterol and artherogenic index obtained from rats treated with
African star apple juice (3 ml, 6 ml and 9 ml) decreased significantly (P ≤ 0.05), compared respectively to the HFCD rats. The results also showed
that treatment with African star apple (Chrysophylum albidum)
positively changed plasma antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid profiles in
cholesterol-fed rats, and thus may have potential hypolipidemic and antioxidant
effects, and by inference, the antiatherogenic properties in male rats. African
star apple (Chrysophylum albidum) juice could protect
against oxidative stress linked atherosclerosis and decrease the atherogenic
index, thereby supporting the local use of Chrysophylum
albidum in the management of atherosclerosis and hypertensive
conditions.