Comparative effect of <i>Arachis hypogaea</i> and <i>Cajanus cajan</i> diets on the lipid profile of female albino rats

Abstract

The effect of Arachis hypogaea and Cajanus cajan diets on the serum lipid profile of 30 female albino rats were evaluated. The rats were separated into 5 groups of six rats each as follows: A- rats fed on normal feed, B – rats fed on 50% Arachis hypogaea diet, C- rats fed on 70% Arachis  hypogaea, D - rats fed on 50% Cajanus cajan diet and E- rats fed on 70% Cajanus cajan. The study lasted for 28 days and at the end of the feeding experiment, the rats were bled and serum obtained used for total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triacylglycerol and VLDL assays using standard biochemical methods. The results of the study showed significant decrease (P<0.05) in total cholesterol, VLDL, LDL and triacylglycerol concentrations of rats feds on Cajanus cajan (groups D and E) when compared to those of the control (group A) and those fed on Arachis hypogaea diet (groups B and C). However, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) observed in the HDL levels of rats fed on Cajanus cajan and those of control (group A) and those fed on Arachis hypogaea diet. Results of the study suggest that Cajanus cajan diet could be useful in protecting against atherosclerosis and its associated diseases.

Key words: Atherosclerosis, Cajanus cajan, Arachis hypogaea and Lipid Profile.