Silkworm Pupa Oil Exerts Hypolipidemic and Antioxidative Effects on Rat Model of High‐fat Diet Induced Hyperlipidemia

Abstract

Silkworm pupa oil (SPO) is considered excellent dietary supplements for hyperlipidemia in China. However, more knowledge is needed about the SPO given its potential use as a functional food with hypolipidemic effect. Quantification and qualification of fatty acids in SPO were carried out by GC‐MS.Five saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and four unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) were found in SPO, and up to 70% of SPO are unsaturated. Oleic Acidis present in the highest concentration (34.45%) followed by 29.18% α‐ linolenic acid. Fatty Acids (%) Silkworm Pupa Oil (%) Lauric Acid (C12: 0) 0.093 Myristic Acid (C14: 0) 0.19 Palmitic Acid (C16: 0) 23.91 Stearic Acid (C18: 0) 4.6 Eicosanoic Acid (C20: 0) 0.17 Palmitoteic Acid (C16:1) 1.28 Oleic Acid (C18: 1, n‐9) 34.45 Linoleic Acid (C18: 2, n‐6) 6.13 Linolenic Acid (C18: 3, n‐3) 29.18 Saturated fatty acids (SFAs) 28.96 monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) 35.73 Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) 35.31 n‐3/n‐6 4.76 UFAs/SFAs 2.45 Effect of SPO on dyslipidemic Wistar rats adapted to high‐fat diets was investigated. 6‐week SPO supplementation resulted in lower concentrations of serum TC and LDL‐C (P蠄 0.05) statistically as compared to HFDC group. Group Dose (mL/kg/d) TC mmol/L TG mmol/L LDL‐C mmol/L HDL‐C mmol/L LDL‐C/ HDL‐C NC vehicle 2.48 ± 0.33a 0.60 ± 0.10 1.13 ± 0.12a 1.47 ± 0.15 0.87 ± 0.056a HFDC vehicle 3.77 ± 0.41c 0.69 ± 0.23 2.53 ± 0.31d 1.38 ± 0.28 2.51 ± 0.47b SPO 1 2.95 ± 0.35b 0.68 ± 0.24 1.75 ± 0.48cd 1.34 ± 0.45 2.79 ± 1.27b SPO 2 2.13 ± 0.44a 0.65 ± 0.16 0.75 ± 0.24b 1.51 ± 0.34 2.09 ± 0.85b SPO 4 2.34 ± 0.58a 0.70 ± 0.19 0.97 ± 0.28bc 1.51 ± 0.35 2.17 ± 0.89b High and middle dose of SPO supplementation (2, 4 mL/kg/d) resulted in higher T‐AOC, SOD and GSH‐Px level and lower MDA level(P蠄0.05) both in serum and liver against HFDC group. Taken together, SPO can help improve lipid profile and alleviate oxidative stress in dyslipidemic rats induced by high‐fat‐diets. It is suggested that SPO may be beneficial as treatment for hyperlipidemia.