Hypolipidemic Effect of Eggplant Peels (Solanum melongena, L) Powder on Obese Rats

Abstract

Eggplant, (Solanum melongena, L.) is one of the vegetables ranked highest in total antioxidant capacity, it is contains high concentrations of phytochemicals such as phenolic acids and flavonoid compounds that have high antioxidant activity, In this paper, the effect of Eggplant Peels Powder (EPP) on reduce cholesterol and lipid profile in obese rats and improve their health were investigation. Twenty five male albino rats weighting 140 ±10 g were used in this study and divided into 5 groups, each group contain 5 rats. Rats were treated by high fat diet (30% animal fat) to induce obese and to raise cholesterol level and lipid profile in blood. First (control group), second, third and fourth group received basal diet + 0, 1, 2 and 4 % of dried eggplant peels powder (EPP), respectively for 4 weeks. Animals were sacrificed, blood samples were collected. Serum was then removed by centrifuging for analysis. Chemical composition and phenolic compounds in eggplant peels were determined. Total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), lipoprotein fraction (HDL-c, LDL-c, VLDL-c), atherogenic indices (AIP, CRR, CRI,AF and AC), and serum liver functions (ALT, AST, and ALP) were also determined. Data from obese rats revealed that the eggplant peel showed significant changes in the tested biochemical parameters. As conclusion, obese rats treated with 4% eggplant peel powders had improved lipid profile levels and showed markedlly significantly decreased of hyperlipidemic effect compared with other concentrations.