Effect of pumpkin seed oil on lipid metabolism in experimental hyperlipidemic rats

Abstract

The present study was designed to investigate the hypolipidemic effect of pumpkin seed oil in experimental hyperlipidemic rats. Fifty male rats were divided into five equal groups. Group 1: normal rats fed on normal diet. Group 2: (hyperlipidemic group) rats administered standard diet+ 20%coconut oil and 1% cholesterol daily for eight weeks. Group 3: (hyperlipidemic +pumpkin seed oil treated group) rats administered standard diet+ 20%coconut oil and 1% cholesterol daily for four weeks followed by atherogenic diet+ 50 mg/Kg b. wt. pumpkin seed oil daily for other four weeks. Group 4: (hyperlipidemic +pumpkin seed oil protected group) rats administered standard diet+ 50 mg/Kg b. wt. pumpkin seed oil daily for two weeks followed by standard diet+ 20%coconut oil and 1% cholesterol+ 50 mg/Kg b. wt. pumpkin seed oil daily for eight weeks. Group 5 : (pumpkin seed oil group) rats administered standard diet+ 50 mg/Kg b. wt. pumpkin seed oil daily for eight weeks. Blood samples collected for serum separation and used for determination of lipids profile (total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, LDL-C, HDL-C, VLDL-C, total lipids and phospholipids), liver marker enzymes (ALT and AST), albumin, kidney function markers (urea and creatinine) and glucose concentration. The results revealed that in group 2 there were significant increases in serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, VLDL-C, phospholipids, total lipids, ALT, AST, urea, creatinine and glucose while HDL-C and albumin were significantly decreased. Meanwhile, administration of pumpkin seed oil resulted in significant decrease in all elevated mentioned parameters and increase in HDL-C and albumin levels. Therefore, it could be concluded that pumpkin seed oil has hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic effect in rats fed high fat diet.