Effect of Moringa Oleifera on Lipid Profile in Rats

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Food Analysis Specialty, Department of Nutrition, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Egypt

2 Nutrition Specialty, Department of Nutrition, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Coronary heart disease, stroke, atherosclerosis and hyperlipidemia are primary causes of death worldwide. Moringa Oleifera tree was used as a health supplement introduced to Africa from India. Its leaves have various biological activities, including hypolipidemic effect.
Objective(s): The aim of present study was to assess the effect of Moringa Oleifera consumption on lipid profile and histopathology of the liver in hyperlipidemic rats.
Methods: A total of 50 male albino rats were divided into five equal groups. Group I was left as control and fed on standard diet only. Group II was fed on standard diet and orally injected with 400 mg/kg of rat body weight extract of Moringa Oleifera. Hyperlipidemia was induced in the remaining 30 rats by feeding an atherogenic diet for four weeks. Group III was fed on atherogenic diet only. Group IV was fed on atherogenic diet and orally injected with 400 mg/kg of rat body weight extract of Moringa Oleifera. Group V was fed on atherogenic diet with 2mg/kg of rat body weight Atorvastatin drug. Lipid profile of rat blood was measured including total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL). Liver tissue was evaluated by carrying out histopathological examination.
Results: The rats fed on Moringa Oleifera showed a significant decrease in total cholesterol and LDL by 26.8% and 40.6% respectively compared to baseline values after 4 weeks. Although VLDL and TG showed slight increase by 5.6% and 5.1% respectively, they were still within the normal range. Otherwise, there was a significant increase in LDL, VLDL, TC, and total TG levels in rats fed on atherogenic diet only by 17.13%, 195.4%, 29.2%, and 193% respectively compared to baseline values after 4 weeks. Atorvastatin drug affected the HDL level, as it increased by 16.4% % 28% from baseline after two and four weeks respectively. Atorvastatin and Moringa Oleifera decreased VLDL level by 53.9% & 36.5% respectively when compared to rats fed on atherogenic diet.
Conclusion: Moringa Oleifera was comparable to hypolipidemic medication (Atorvastatin) in improving the lipid profile of rats fed on atherogenic diet. Moringa Oleifera intake is more effective in prevention than in treatment of hyperlipidemia.
 

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