Hypolipidemic Properties of Four Varieties of Eggplants (Solanum melongena L.).

Abstract

The effects of four eggplant varieties on lipid indices in albino rats were evaluated. A total of 108 adult albino rats were used for this study which lasted for 4 weeks (30days). They were randomly distributed into two major blocks of treatments (10% and 20% eggplant supplementation) with each having four sub groups (Groups A-D) based on the eggplant varieties. Each sub group had a total of 12 rats. Rats in group A were fed with diet supplemented with ‘S. macrocapron (round), groups B, C and D were fed with diets supplemented S. atheopicum, S. macrocapron (oval), and S. gilo respectively. A general control group labeled ‘control’ was fed with normal commercial feed. At the end of every week, three rats from each group were weighed and sacrificed. The lipid profile was determined using AGAPE commercial kit. Rats placed on 10% and 20% S. aetheopicum and S. gilo supplemented diets had the highest (9.92±0.47g and 9.53±0.21g) and lowest (7.65±0.12g and 5.95±0.69g) weight gain respectively. The mean weight gain in all the groups was significantly (p<0.05) lower than the control group. Rats fed with 20% S. gilo supplemented diet had the lowest cholesterol concentration (60.76±1.7mg/dl) and was significantly (p<0.05) lower than the control group. The HDL concentration significantly increased in rats placed on 10% and 20% S. macrocarpon (oval) and S. gilo supplemented diet respectively relative to the control group. The varieties displayed weight reducing and hypolipidemic properties. Although Solanum gilo and S. macrocarpon (oval) displayed higher hypocholesterolemic, increased HDL and reduced weight gain effects and therefore can be employed in the management of overweight and several cardiovascular diseases.