Effects of a skullcap root supplement on haematology, serum parameters and antioxidant enzymes in rabbits on a high-cholesterol diet

Abstract

We studied the effects of Scutellaria baicalensis root on blood parameters and antioxidant enzyme activities in rabbits fed a high-cholesterol diet. Thirty-two New Zealand White rabbits were divided into four groups of eight animals each. They were fed a standard diet (C group), a diet with a 1% pure cholesterol supplement (CH group), a diet with a 1% pure cholesterol supplement and a 9% skullcap root supplement (CH+SR group), or a diet with a 9% skullcap root supplement (SR group). After 6 weeks, the rabbits fed the high-cholesterol diet had significantly decreased RBC and Hb levels and significantly increased MCV, MCH and Fe levels (p≤ 0.05). The skullcap root supplement had no adverse effects on the haematological parameters. The values for RBC, Hb, HCT, MCV, MCH and MCHC were similar in the skullcap root-treated and control rabbits. We also observed a remarkable elevation in the serum TC, LDL and TG levels at the end of the 6-week period. The rabbits fed the cholesterol diet showed decreased activity of the erythrocyte GSH-Px compared with the rabbits fed the basal diet. The GSH-Px activity was significantly higher in the rabbits fed the CH+SR diet than in those on the CH diet. The erythrocyte SOD activity was also significantly decreased in the rabbits on the CH diet. However, the CH+SR group rabbits showed significantly enhanced erythrocyte SOD activity. The SOD level in the CH+SR rabbits was 34.91 U/ml, which was a 23% increase (p≤ 0.05) in relation to the results for the CH group and only 15% diminished in relation to the control group. These results suggest that the dietary supplementation of skullcap root may improve rabbit antioxidant systems and protect against the risks from a high-cholesterol diet.

In vivo therapeutic effect of combination treatment with metformin and Scutellaria baicalensis on maintaining bile acid homeostasis

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Chemical composition and nutritional properties of freshwater and marine microalgal biomass cultured in photobioreactors

“…However, since plant-based phenolic compounds also play both beneficial and detrimental roles in animal nutrition (in particular protein bioavailability), their measurement is important and has not yet been reported for most of the species studied here. Specific phenolic compounds such as terrestrial plant-derived tannins have been shown to provide beneficial effects by inhibiting harmful bacterial colonization of the intestine, as demonstrated in terrestrial livestock such as poultry (Jamroz et al 2003), swine (Van Parys et al 2010), and rabbits (Króliczewska et al 2011). However, this has yet to be demonstrated in farmed animals and fish fed algae-derived phenolic sources.…”

A new genotype of flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) with decreased susceptibility to fat oxidation: consequences to hematological and biochemical profiles of blood indices

“…Housing requirements can be readily met for rabbits. The rabbits were housed in a room with a proper air flow and maintained at a temperature of 18 ± 1 °C, relative humidity of 55 ± 10% and under lighting cycles (lights on at 07:00) throughout the adaptation period and study . After the adaptation period, the rabbits were randomly divided into three groups of eight animals each.…”