Abstract
The study investigated the influence of dietary vitamin E derived from drumstick leaves (DL, Moringa oleifera) on antioxidant status and plasma lipids in male rats, fed diets based on either palm (PO) or peanut oil (PN). Two control (PO & PN) and three experimental diets (PODL, PNDL & POPNDL) differing in dietary fat source supplemented with DL powder were fed (ad libitum, 8 weeks). The vitamin E content of control diets was 30 IU/kg while the experimental diets provided 60 IU/kg of diet. No significant differences in body weight, liver and adipose tissue weights were observed between the 5 groups, despite the difference in the type/source of fat used in the diets. After 8 weeks, the cholesterol and TBARS levels in the livers of rats fed PODL diet were lower than the other groups. In all 5 groups, plasma cholesterol decreased after 8 weeks, however, diets supplemented with DL powder resulted in decreases in both plasma cholesterol and lipid peroxides marked decrease (p < 0.05) compared to control group. The increase in plasma vitamin E levels were not significant. The data suggest that the combination of dietary fat and drumstick leaves as a source of antioxidant was beneficial as it reduced plasma cholesterol & lipid peroxidation.
Highlights
It is well documented that diets rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids lead to reduced plasma cholesterol levels and lower atherogenic risk [1,2,3]
The study investigated the influence of dietary vitamin E derived from drumstick leaves (DL, Moringa oleifera) on antioxidant status and plasma lipids in male rats, fed diets based on either palm (PO) or peanut oil (PN)
Studies have shown that palm oil is efficacious in lowering plasma cholesterol (TC); it is associated with significant increases in plasma triglycerides (TG) [4,5]
Summary
It is well documented that diets rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids lead to reduced plasma cholesterol levels and lower atherogenic risk [1,2,3]. Supplementation of diets with α-tocopherol significantly increased plasma α-tocopherol levels and resulted in lesser accumulation of peroxides in plasma [6,7]. Both epidemiological and clinical data have implicated peroxidized plasma lipid in atherogenesis [8,9]. Much research is focused on the beneficial effects of bioactive phytochemicals present in micro level in our daily diet. These phytochemicals are abundant in grains, vegetables, fruits, seeds and nuts. The mechanism behind the different beneficial effects of dietary phytochemicals are not fully understood These compounds are known to act as antioxidants, hypocholesterolemic and enzyme modulating agents and phytohormones. Research strongly suggests that protection against degenerative diseases requires the right balance of a multitude of phytoprotectants including essential fatty acids, vitamins, antioxidants and dietary fiber components [10,11]
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