Investigation of the antihyperlipidemic property of Raphia hookeri mesocarp oil in high-lard diet (HLD) fed rats

Abstract

Background: Dyslipidemia is an important risk factor cardiovascular disease. The mesocarp of R. hookeri has been shown to resemble that of palm oil in term oil quality, with a large quantity of linoleic acid (47.3%) followed by palmitic acid (32.3%), oleic acid  (13.7%) and alpha-linolenic acid  (1.1%). The present investigation aimed to evaluate the antihyperlipidemic property of crude Raphia hookeri mesocarp oil in male Wistar albino rats fed with high-lard diet (HLD).

Methods: Crude Raphia hookeri mesocarp oil (1 mL and 2 mL per kg of body weight respectively), and olive oil as control (1 mL and 2 mL per kg of body weight respectively) were administered orally by gavage and lasted 28 days along with high-lard diet (HLD). Biochemical parameters of lipids profile were estimated in plasma after the treatment.

Results: Untreated rats fed with HLD showed profound alterations of the lipid profile and doses of Raphia hookeri mesocarp and olive oil showed a significant (P < .05) reduction in elevated TC (total cholesterol ) , TG (triglycerides), LDL (low density lipoprotein), and VLDL (very low density lipoprotein)  levels and increased HDL (high density lipoprotein) level. Best effects were observed with the dose of 1 mL/kg in TC, TG, and VLDL levels, and 2 mL/kg in HDL level. Doses of olive oil were shown to be most effective in increasing the HDL level.

Conclusion: The crude oil from Raphia hookeri mesocarps exhibited an antihyperlipidemic effect on albino rats fed with high-lard diet. Its effect is similar to that of olive oil and may possibly be used to prevent dyslipidemia