NIGERIAN JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENT
Journal of the Faculties of Science and Agriculture, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria
ISSN: 1119-9008
DOI: 10.5987/UJ-NJSE
Email: njse@universityjournals.org
EFFECTS OF CAPSICUM FRUTESCENS SUPPLEMENTED DIET ON LIPID PROFILE OF WISTAR RAT.
DOI: 10.5987/UJ-NJSE.16.009.2 | Article Number: 6CE5259 | Vol.12 (2) - September 2013
Authors: Ekene N and Erhirhie O. E
The effects of Capsicum frutescens (C.F.) supplemented diet on lipid profile and body weight
of Wistar rats was evaluated in this present study. Fifteen male Wistar rats were divided into three
groups. Group 1 (control) received normal feed + water adlibitum, group 2 (Test 1) received 2%
C.F. + normal feed and water adlibitum, while group 3 (Test 2) received 3% C.F. + normal feed
and water adlibitum. After three weeks of the procedure, all animals fasted overnight were subjected
to chloroform anesthesia and blood samples were collected into lithium heparin container
for lipid profile test using biochemical analyser (Reflotron plus kit). Statistical analyses of result
by one way analyses of variance (ANOVA) showed that group 2 (2% C.F.) significantly (P<0.05)
caused increase in HDL-cholesterol, and decrease serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL and
VLDL cholesterol against the group 1(control). Group 3 (3% C.F.) significantly (P<0.05) decreased
serum HDL cholesterol and increased serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL and
VLDL cholesterol against the group 1(control) and group 2. Percentage increase in body weight
was highest in group 1 (55.9%), followed by groups 2 (12.3%) and least in group 3 (9.92%). This
result pattern suggests that 2% Capsicum frutescens incorporated in diet of wistar rats improved
the lipid profile against that of 3%. Therefore regular incorporation of low dose of Capsicum frutescens
in diet as supplement would aid a long way in ameliorating overweight, obesity and hypercholesterolemia
associated with cardiovascular problems as well as diabetes.
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