Moringa oleifera seeds increase serum cholesterol concentration in rats

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate effects of Moringa oleifera (moringa) seeds on serum lipid concentrations in rats fed standard chow or high cholesterol diet. DESIGN AND METHODS: Twenty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five equal groups and fed standard chow (control), standard chow + 1% moringa seed powder, 4% cholesterol diet alone, or 4% cholesterol diet + 0.5% or 1% moringa seed powder for 12 weeks. Moringa seeds and rat chow were crushed and mixed with cholesterol powder as required. Serum lipid concentrations were measured at weeks 0, 6 and 12, and fecal cholesterol concentration was measured at week 12. Liver and kidney functions were evaluated by biochemical assessment of relevant parameters including aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, creatinine and urea. RESULTS: Serum total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL) concentrations were significantly elevated (p < 0.01) in rats fed the cholesterol diet alone or with moringa seed powder (0.5% or 1%) in comparison to rats fed standard chow. Fecal cholesterol concentration was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in rats fed the cholesterol diet alone as compared to the control group. Moringa did not have a significant effect on serum and fecal cholesterol concentrations in rats fed standard chow. There was no significant difference in concentrations of liver and kidney parameters or relative organ weights between groups. CONCLUSION: Despite popular belief of antilipemic potential, moringa seed powder increases serum cholesterol concentration, specifically LDL, in the presence of a high cholesterol diet. Moringa seed powder inhibited the fecal elimination of dietary cholesterol in rats.