Effect of n-Hexane Oil Extract of two Spices on Serum Lipid Profile and Blood Glucose Concentration of Albino Rats
Consumers are concerned with their health and physical fitness and are seeking for alternative plant products with potential for providing nutrients with enhanced health benefits. Hence, this study investigates the effect of mixture of Ehuru (Monodora myristica) and Njasang (Ricinodendron heudelotii) oil extract on serum lipid profile and blood glucose concentration of albino rats. The spices were processed into fine flour and the oil was extracted with n-hexane as the solvent. A total of twenty five rats weighing 125-160g were separated into five groups of five each to represent control, olive oil and varying concentrations of the spices. After acclimiatization for one week, experimental administration of the extract was carried out daily for 28 days. Blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture into tubes. A portion of the blood was used for fasting blood glucose determination. Serum was separated from the other portion and used for assay of lipid profile using standard kit methods. The results obtained showed percentage fatty acid yield for Ehuru and Njasang as 79.54 and 81.0 (polyunsaturated) and 13.40 and 15.0 (monounsaturated) respectively. Fasting blood glucose assay showed that only rats in group 1 (6.46mmol/L) became significantly (p<0.05) hyperglycaemic while groups 2-4(6.03, 5.98 and 5.53mmol/L) showed a hypoglycaemic effect with respect to control (6.13mmol/L). Serum total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol were significantly (P<0.05) low for test samples and olive oil compared to control. The serum high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (1.15 – 1.55mmol/L) increased with increase in extract administration compared to control (1.02mmol/L). Triglyceride level also increased (0.60- 0.65mmol/L) for test samples compared to control (0.6mmol/L), but the increase was not significant at P< 0.05.
