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Food Sci. Technol, Campinas, Ahead of Print, 2020 1/7 1
Food Science and Technology
OI: Dhttps://doi.org/10.1590/fst.38919
ISSN 0101-2061 (Print)
ISSN 1678-457X (Online)
1 Introduction
Lifestyle linked disorders have been a threat for the drastic
outcomes in later stages of life. e prevalence of these disorders
is currently increasing more in developing countries as compared
to developed world due to abrupt transition in the eating habits
and lifestyle pattern. Adequate and balanced intake of nutrients
is always been a key of healthy life. In the present era, rened
carbohydrates and processed foods are more preferred to consume
upon organic products. Utilization of energy with these caloric
dense foods has led to the advancements of metabolic disorders
(Misraetal.,2018). Among non-communicable diseases, heart
disease has now gained a great attention of health investigators.
According to Australian Bureau of Statistics and Cancer Biology,
heart diseases are one of the two top reasons of death in Australia
and UK, the other is cancer. Various studies concluded that
obesity, diabetes, stress, smoking, raised serum low density
lipoprotein cholesterol, hypertension and lack of exercise are
the contributing factors in the development of heart diseases
(Naharetal.,2013).
One of the blossoming species of Malvaceae family is okra
(Abelmoschus esculentus). e origin of okra was from Ethiopia.
en it was propagated to tropical and sub-tropical regions
including East and South Asia. Okra has been cultivated as an oil
seed crop particularly in regions that are not suitable for cotton
seed production and used as an alternative of cotton seed oil.
Okra seed oil contains important fatty acids essential for human
nutrition. Various researches claimed the cholesterol lowering
ability of okra seed oil. About 20-40% of oil is produced from
okra seeds (Gemedeetal.,2015). e quantity of oil depends
on seed variety, climate conditions, temperature and extraction
method, for example the locally developed Pakistani variety
(Sabz Pari) had lower oil content i.e., 11.72% (Soaresetal.,2012).
In brief, okra has functional and nutraceutical properties.
epresent study was designed for the bio evaluation of okra
seed oil with reference to hypercholesterolemia and aimed at
following objectives: 1) extraction of oil from okra (Abelmoschus
esculentus) seeds of local variety 2) utilization of okra seed oil in
evaluating its hypocholesterolemic eects in rat model.
2Materials and methods
e current study was held in University of Agriculture,
Faisalabad. Vegetable and oil related research sections were
used to evaluate dierent parameters of this study. e anti-
hypercholesterolemic eect of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)
seed oil was studied by ecacy trials on Sprague Dowley rats.
Materials and protocols used in this study are as follows:
2.1 Attainment of raw material
e seeds of local variety of okra named “sabaz pari” were
purchased from Ayub Agriculture Research Institute, Faisalabad.
Ameliorating eects of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) seed oil on hypercholesterolemia
Moazzam Raq KHAN1, Maria BATOOL1, Rai Muhammad AMIR2* , Asim SHABBIR1, Farzana SIDDIQUE3,
Rana Muhammad ADIL1, Kashif AMEER2, Ahmad DIN1, Allah RAKHA1
, Aayesha RIAZ4
, Farrukh FAIZ5
a
Received 24 Dec., 2019
Accepted 18 Jan., 2020
1National Institute of Food Science and Technology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
2Institute of Food and Nutritional Sciences, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan
3Institute of Food and Science and Nutrition, University of Sargodha, Pakistan
4Department of Patho-Biology, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan
5Department of Agriculture and Food Technology, Karakorum international University, Gilgit, Pakistan
*Corresponding author: raiamir87@yahoo.com
Abstract
Lifestyle associated disorders have always been a hazard for the advancement of chronic diseases. erefore, use of natural dietary
sources is proved to be safe for reducing the occurrence and management of chronic diseases. Okra along with its various parts
has been used for the treatment of several diseases. e present study was done to examine the ameliorating eect of okra seed
oil on hypercholesterolemic rats. Spargue Dawley Rats were randomly divided into ve groups fed with selected experimental
diets for a period of 30 days. Aer inducing hypercholesterolemia, the rats in treatment groups were fed with 6%, 12% and
18% okra seed oil respectively mixed with their normal diet. Decrease in cholesterol and LDL were observed in group 2, 3
and4. Increase in HDL was also observed in group 2, 3 and 4 from 24.33 ± 1.29 to 25.33 ± 1.29, 23 ± 2.94 to 25 ±2.94 and from
23.67 ± 1.29 to 26.67 ± 1.29 at day 28. A decrease pattern was also observed in triglycerides in group 2, 3 and 4 from 74 ± 2.22
to 72 ± 2.22, 72 ± 1.63 to 68 ± 1.63 and from 74 ± 3.11 to 66.67 ± 2.45 at day 28. Okra seed oil has the potential to ameliorate
hypercholesterolemia. is vegetable can be a part of medical nutrition therapy.
Keywords: okra; cholesterol; hypercholesterolemia; diet; lipoproteins.
Practical Application: Okra has signicant healing properties to treat hypercholesterolemia.
Food Sci. Technol, Campinas, Ahead of Print, 20202 2/7
Okra effect on hypercholesterolemia
Reagents and standards were procured from Merck (Merck
KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany) and Sigma-Aldrich (Tokyo,
Japan). Moreover, diagnostic kits of Cayman Chemical (Cayman
Europe, Estonia), Bioassay (Bioassays chemical Co. Germany)
and Sigma-Aldrich were used.
2.2 Sample preparation
Proximate analysis of seeds
For proximate analysis, three replicates for each sample were
prepared. ese analyses were performed based on the guidelines
of AOAC (Association of Official Analytical Chemists, 2016).
Powdered seeds were examined for subsequent parameters: 1)
moisture content (%), 2) crude fat, 3) crude protein, 4) crude ber.
2.3 Oil extraction
Aer procurement of the okra seeds from Ayub Agriculture
Research Institute Faisalabad, the seeds were cleaned to
remove the dirt particles. Oil was extracted mechanically from
cold press oil machine based on the method mentioned by
Topkafa (2016). Aerextraction, the oil was analyzed through
physiochemical analysis.
2.4 Physiochemical analysis of extracted oil
e oil obtained from mechanical extraction was further
analyzed to study the following physiochemical properties:
Saponication value
e saponication value of okra seed oil was measured by
the method mentioned in AOCS Method cd 3-25 (Association
of Official Analytical Chemists, 2016).
Peroxide value
Peroxide value of oil indicates the presence of peroxides in it.
Greater the concentration of these oxides indicates compromised
quality of that oil. To nd the peroxide value of okra seed oil, the
instructions in the method of AOCS (American Oil Chemists’
Society, 1998) were followed.
Acid value
It was determined by acid base titration.
Specic gravity
Based on the instructions listed in AOCS (American
Oil Chemists’ Society, 1998), specific gravity of okra seed
oil was determined.
2.5 Ecacy study
Ecacy trial was accomplished to analyze hypocholesterolemic
outcome of okra seed oil. 20male rats were housed for 30 days
in the animal room of National Institute of Food Science and
Technology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. Temperature
and humidity of the animal room was set at 23°C and 55°C
respectively. e experimental rats were adapted by feeding on
basal diet for 7 days. During the whole study duration, feed and
drink intake of the study subjects were monitored routinely.
Weight measurements were also taken before and aer the
administration of high fat diet. Aer two weeks, blood serum
tests of overnight fasted rats were performed and statistical tool
was applied to measure any change in the lipid prole. Animal
diet plan is given in Table 1.
2.6 Physical parameters
e following parameters were considered.
Feed and drink intake
During the whole study time, the net feed intake of rats was
calculated routinely. Similarly, food intake of individual rat was
estimated everyday by the method explained in Greenetal. (2013).
Body weight
e weight gain of experimental rats was examined aer
every week throughout the study period.
Serum separation
Serum was separated from the blood samples based on the
method of Sabithaetal. (2011).
2.7 Ecacy tests
Total cholesterol
Total cholesterol was examined by the methods of
Sabithaetal. (2011).
Triglycerides
Triglycerides were examined according to the method of
Dubey&Mishra (2017).
High density lipoproteins
High density lipoproteins were observed by the method as
described by Mekonnenetal. (2018).
Tab le 1. Animal diet plan.
Groups Treatments
GoNormal rats
G1Hypercholesterolemic rats
G2Hypercholesterolemic rats+6% diet containing okra seed oil
G3Hypercholesterolemic rats+12%of diet containing okra seed oil
G4
Hypercholesterolemic rats+18% of diet containing okra
seed oil
G0: Normal rats; G1: Hypercholesterolemic rats; G2: Hypercholesterolemic rats+6% of diet
containing okra seed oil; G3: Hypercholesterolemic rats+12% of diet containing okra seed
oil; G4: Hypercholesterolemic rats+18% of diet containing okra seed oil.
Khanetal.
Food Sci. Technol, Campinas, Ahead of Print, 2020 3/7 3
Low density lipoproteins
Low density lipoproteins were studied by the method of
Abolhassanietal. (2017).
2.8. Statistical analysis
e data was collected from the experimental study and
shied to statistical analysis to determine the level of signicance.
3 Results and discussion
e results of dierent parameters are described here with
relevant discussion.
3.1 Proximate analysis of okra seeds
e proximate analysis was used to estimate the characteristics
of okra seeds. Purposely, okra seed powder was examined for
following parametrs.
Moisture content in okra seeds
Moisture content reported in local okra variety of punjab;
named Sabaz pari was 7.24% during the study. e results were
analoged to the study of Çalışıret al. (2005), who compared
the proximate proling and physiochemical properties of two
varieties of okra; named as Punjab 8 and Sabaz pari. e moisture
content of seed powder of Sabaz pari calculated was 7.26%.
Crude protein content
e % crude protein of both okra seed powder examined in
the current study was 20.1%. e outcomes were similar to the
study of Çalışıretal. (2005) compared the proximate proling
and physiochemical properties of two varieties of okra; named
as Punjab 8 and Sabaz pari. e protein content of seed powder
of sabaz pari calculated was 20.00%.
Crude fat content
e % crude fat of okra seed powder calculated in the existing
study was 11.75%. e value of crude fat was comparable with
Çalışıretal. (2005).
Crude ber content in okra seeds
e ber content of okra seed of local variety was 29.54%.
Similarly, the ber content of okra seeds was studied in the
study of Soaresetal. (2012). e percentage of ber in the okra
seeds was reported as 30.81%, which was greater than the ber
content calculated in the present study. e results of Proximate
analysis of okra seeds and physiochemical analysis of okra seed
oil are given in Table 2.
3.2 Chemical analysis and properties of okra seed oil
Okra seeds from Greece are a potential source of oil, with
concentrations varying from 15.9% to 20.7%. Of the fatty acid
chains that compose okra seed oil, high linoleic acid chain content
was observed at 44.48%, palmitic acid was 28.74%, and oleic acid
was 20.38% (Andráset al., 2005). Gas liquid chromatography
exposed that the main fatty acid was linoleic acid (34.89-44%),
palmitic acid (25.2-28.3%) and oleic acid (21.9-24.08%). Oleicand
linoleic acids (omega 6) are among the fatty acids that have a
protecting eect on the health of humans. Okra seed oil showed
similarities to certain oils commercially used for their oleic acid
content (corn: 24.8%; linseed: 18.9%; poppy seed: 22.3%; soybean:
23.2%; sunflower seed: 17.7%; walnut kernel: 18.5%) and linoleic
acid (cottonseed: 57.4%; soybean: 56.2%; walnut kernel: 56.0%).
Saponication value
e saponication value of okra seed oil calculated in the
present study was 180.66 ± 1.52mg KOH/g of oil. Variousprevious
studies analyzed the chemical properties of seed oil of dierent
varieties of okra. In a study of Rafieian-Kopaeietal. (2013), the
chemical analysis of oil obtained from two dierent varieties of
okra was studied. e saponication value of seed oil obtained
from white velvet variety of okra was calculated as 194.5, while
that of Perkins Mammoth Long Pod was 192.7.
Peroxide value
e peroxide value of okra seed oil calculated in the present
study was 7.3 ± 0.02meq/kg of oil. e peroxide value (meq of
O2 per kg of oil) recovered from supercritical carbon dioxide
extraction was 3.32, 3.91 of solvent extracted okra seed oil while
12.77 of screw pressed okra seed oil (Dongetal.,2014).
Specic gravity
e specic gravity of okra seed oil evaluated in the present
study was 0.91 ± 0.01. e specic gravity of okra seed oil
calculated in the study of Mohapatraetal. (2007) on triglyceride
composition of Hibiscus esculentus seed oil was 0.9135 at
24degree centigrade.
Acid value
e acid value in current study was in accordance with the
study of Çalışıretal. (2005), in which inter-varietal variation in
Tab l e 2 . Proximate analysis of okra seeds and physiochemical analysis
of okra seed oil
Proximate assay of okra seeds
Parameter Means in % ± SD
Moisture 7.2% ± 0.01
Crude protein 20.1% ± 0.2
Crude fat 11.75% ± 0.01
Crude ber 29.54% ± 0.02
Chemical analysis of okra seed oil
Sponication value 180.66mg KOH/g ± 1.52
Acid vlaue 3.45mg KOH/g ± 0.03
Peroxide value 7.3meq/kg ± 0.02
Specic gravity 0.91 ± 0.01
Food Sci. Technol, Campinas, Ahead of Print, 20204 4/7
Okra effect on hypercholesterolemia
the composition of okra seed oil was evaluated. Two varieties of
okra named Sabaz pari and Punjab 8 were compared in terms
oftheir physiochemical properties. e acid value of two varieties
was in the range of 3.49-4.67 (mg of KOH g-1 of oil).
3.3 Bio-ecacy study
Depending on diet, the ecacy plan was categorized into ve
groups, negative control, positive control, treatment group (G
2
),
treatment group (G3), and treatment group (G4). Negativecontrol
group was fed with normal diet, positive control group was fed
with high fat diet to induce hypercholesterolemia, treatment
(G
2
), was fed with high fat diet +6% okra seed oil, treatment (G
3
)
was fed with high fat diet +12% okra seed oil, and treatment
(G4) wasfed with high fat diet +18% okra seed oil. e trial was
carried out for 30 days to determine the anti-hypercholesterolemic
eect of okra seed oil. e body weight was calculated on weekly
basis, while feed and drink intakes were calculated on daily basis.
e serum was collected in start and at the end of the trail to
analyze total cholesterol and related parameters of lipid prole.
Body weight
In this research work the impact of okra seed oil was
evaluated on body weight of male Sprague Dowley rats including
normal, hypercholesterolemic groups and diseased groups with
6%, 12% and 18% okra seed oil as treatment respectively. It is
deduced from the mean squares (Table 3) that treatment imparts
signicant eect on all groups except positive and negative
control groups. However, positive and negative control groups
had followed by weight gain with respect to days. At the end
of the trail, the means for body weight was 153.45 ± 1.877 of
negative control group. e means of body weight in positive
control group was 157.2±3.63, which was higher than negative
control group because of the administration of high fat diet.
Intreatment groups; the means of cholesterol was 155.55 ± 3.17,
156.85 ±3.78 and 156.75 ± 4.58 respectively.
Feed intake
Feed status of all rats was noted daily. e analysis of variance
for feed intake showed the non-signicant eect of treatments
on the feed intake and signicant eect on the study interval
(Table3). roughout the ecacy trial of 30 days, the mean
dierence of treatments showed non-signicant eect on the
routine feed intake of the hypercholesterolemic rats. emeans
of the feed intake showed the highest value in G1group
(15.9±1.68g/rat/day). While means of feed intake of control
group Go was (14.5 ± 0.84g/rat/day), G2 (15.6 ± 1.69g/rat/day)
and G3 (14.7±1.65g/rat/day).
Drink intake
e rat’s drink intake was noted daily throughout animal study.
e mean square for drink intake in the rst week were noted
as 18.5 ± 1.29, 18.5 ± 1.29, 18.82 ± 0.81, 18 ± 1.41, 18.75±1.25
for G0, G1, G2 and G3 and G4 respectively while at the nal
week 18.62 ± 1.108, 18.5 ± 1.29, 19 ± 1.08, 18.12 ±1.16 and
18.87 ±1.31 mL/rat/day for the respective groups. e mean
comparisons for the drink intake in the (Table 3) showed that
the treatments have no denite eect on the increase in the
drink status of rats with the increase in the number of days.
e research work of Chenget al. (2017) explained the link
between the high fat diet and the drink intake of post weaning
and adult rats.
Anti-hypercholesterolemic potential
e anti-hypercholesterolemic eect of okra seed oil is because
of polyunsaturated fatty acids mainly linoleic acid that has the
capability to start the relocate of cholesterol in the direction of
bile acid. Changes in body weight (a), feed intake (b), LDL (c),
drink intake (d), cholesterol (e), HDL (f) of dierent groups of
rats are demonstrated in Figure 1.
Cholesterol
In current study work the impact of okra seed oil was
evaluated on changes in serum lipid proles of male Sprague
Dowley rats including normal, hypercholesterolemic groups
and diseased groups with 6%, 12% and 18% okra seed oil
respectively with particular mention to cholesterol, low density
lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein and triglycerides. It is
concluded from the mean squares (Table 3) that treatment
imparts signicant eect on all groups except positive and Go.
At the end of the trail, the means for cholesterol was 88.25 ± 2
of negative control group. e means of cholesterol in G1 was
increased to 91.25±2.49 and in treatment groups; the means
of cholesterol was 90.5±2.39, 89.25± 3.88 and 87.25 ± 4.07
respectively. With special reference to dierent day’s intervals,
the means of cholesterol for all groups was 88.9 ± 2.22 on Day1.
Similarly, on day 7, the means of cholesterol for all groups was
91.25±2.76 and on Day 28, the means of cholesterol for all
groups was 87.75±3.86. Althoughall the treatments of okra seed
oil signicantly reduced the serum cholesterol levels in Sprague
Dowley rats, but the best hypocholesterolemic results were given
by 18% okra seed oil in the daily diet of hypercholesterolemic
rats. At the end of the trail 6% okra seed oil treatment reduced
cholesterol levels up-to 90.5 ± 2.39 while 12% okra seed oil
treatment reduced cholesterol levels up-to 89.25 ± 3.88 and
18% okra seed oil treatment reduced cholesterol levels up-to
87.25 ± 4.07.
Low density lipoproteins (LDL)
In this research work the impact of okra seed oil was
evaluated on changes in serum lipid proles of male Sprague
Dowley rats including normal, hypercholesterolemic groups and
diseased groups with 6%, 12% and 18% okra seed oil respectively
with special mentioning of cholesterol, low density lipoprotein,
high density lipoprotein and triglycerides. Variance showed the
mean comparisons of serum LDL cholesterol levels with respect
to treatments and days (Table 3). In the group G0 the means
of serum LDL cholesterol levels was 44.25 ± 1.54, which was
increased to 45.4 ± 3.62 in positive control group G1, due to
giving high fat diet. In treatment groups, the means of serum
LDL cholesterol as a result of inducing hypercholesterolemia
in subjects and followed by treatments of 6%,12% and 18%
Khanetal.
Food Sci. Technol, Campinas, Ahead of Print, 2020 5/7 5
Tab le 3. Mean comparison for body weight gain (g), feed intake(g/day), drink intake (mL/day), cholesterol (g/dL), LDL (g/dL), HDL (g/dL),
and triglycerides (g/dL).
Groups Body weight (g)
Day 1 Day 7 Day 14 Day 21 Day 28 Means ± SD
G0151.2 ± 0.95 152.5 ± 1.29 153.5 ± 1.29 154.5 ± 1.29 155.5 ± 1.29 153.4 ± 1.87b
G1154 ± 2.82 155 ± 2.82 157 ± 2.82 159 ± 2.82 161 ± 2.82 157.2 ± 3.63a
G2151.5 ± 1.29 153.5 ± 1.29 155.5 ± 1.29 157.5 ± 1.29 159.7 ± 0.95 155.5 ± 3.17a
G3152.5 ± 2.08 154.2 ± 2.5 156.7 ± 1.89 159.2 ± 1.70 161.5 ± 1.73 156.8 ± 3.78a
G4151.5 ± 2.38 153.5 ± 2.38 156.5 ± 2.38 160 ± 2.16 162.2 ± 2.5 156.7 ± 4.58a
Means ± SD 152.1 ± 2.08d153.7 ± 2.09d155.8 ± 2.23c158.0 ± 2.64b160 ± 3.02a
Groups Feed intake(g/day)
Day 1 Day 7 Day 14 Day 21 Day 28 Means ± SD
G014.5 ± 1.29 14.5 ± 1.29 14.5 ± 1.29 14.5 ± 1.29 14.5 ± 1.29 14.5 ± 0.84b
G113.5 ± 1.29 16.5 ± 1.29 16.5 ± 1.29 16.6 ± 1.29 16.5 ± 1.29 15.9 ± 1.68a
G214.5 ± 1.29 17.5 ± 1.29 16.5 ± 1.29 15.25 ± 1.25 15.25 ± 1.25 15.6 ± 1.69ab
G313.5 ± 1.29 16.5 ± 1.29 15.5 ± 1.29 14.5 ± 1.29 14.5 ± 1.29 14.7 ± 1.65b
G413.5 ± 1.29 16.5 ± 1.29 15.5 ± 1.29 14.5 ± 1.29 14.5 ± 1.29 14.7 ± 1.65b
Means ± SD 13.9 ± 1.25d16.3 ± 1.52a15.7 ± 1.38ab 15.05 ± 1.39bc 14.45 ± 1.60cd
Groups Drink intake (mL/day)
Day 1 Day 7 Day 14 Day 21 Day 28 Means ± SD
G018.5 ± 1.29 18.7 ± 1.19 18.7 ± 1.44 18.5 ± 1.29 18.6 ± 1.10 18.6 ± 0.87
G118.5 ± 1.29 18.6 ± 1.49 18.6 ± 1.25 18.7 ± 1.04 18.5 ± 1.29 18.6 ± 1.14
G218.8 ± 0.81 18.7 ± 0.95 18.7 ± 0.28 18.7 ± 0.95 19 ± 1.08 18.8 ± 0.81
G318 ± 1.41 18.1 ± 1.65 18.3 ± 1.18 17.7 ± 1.70 18.1 ± 1.16 18.0 ± 1.37
G418.7 ± 1.25 19 ± 1.08 18.8 ± 1.31 19 ± 1.22 18.8 ± 1.31 18.9 ± 1.10
Means ± SD 18.5 ± 1.14 18.65 ± 1.13 18.6 ± 1.11 18.9 ± 1.24 18.6 ± 1.18
Groups Cholesterol (g/dL)
Day 1 Day 7 Day 28 Means ± SD
G088 ± 2.22 88 ± 2.22 88 ± 2.22 88.2 ± 2bc
G188.3 ± 1.53 92 ± 2.22 92 ± 2.22 91.2 ± 2.49a
G289 ± 1.29 92.6 ± 1.83 88.6 ± 1.83 90.5 ± 2.39ab
G391 ± 3.30 92.6 ± 3.16 86.6 ± 3.16 89.2 ± 3.88abc
G487 ± 2.22 90.3 ± 2.63 83 ± 3.30 87.2 ± 4.07c
Means ± SD 88.9 ± 2.22b91.2 ± 2.76a87.7 ± 3.86b
Groups LDL (g/dL)
Day 1 Day 7 Day 28 Means ± SD
G044 ± 1.71 44 ± 1.71 44 ± 1.71 44.2 ± 1.54bc
G141 ± 1 47.3 ± 2.63 47 ± 2.94 45.4 ± 3.62abc
G243 ± 2.38 46 ± 2.16 44 ± 2.16 43.5 ± 2.31c
G342 ± 2.63 50.3 ± 2.63 46.3 ± 2.63 42.5 ± 3.82ab
G444.3 ± 1.71 50.6 ± 1.71 45.3 ± 0.96 41.0 ± 3.42a
Means ± SD 43.1 ± 2.08c47.7 ± 3.45a45.2 ± 2.45b
Groups HDL (g/dL)
Day 1 Day 7 Day 28 Means ± SD
G033 ± 1.29 33 ± 1.29 33 ± 1.29 33.5 ± 1.16 a
G132 ± 1.73 24 ± 1.29 24 ± 1.29 27 ± 3.88 b
G235 ± 0.96 24.33 ± 1.29 25.33 ± 1.29 28.5 ± 4.93 c
G331.67 ± 1.41 23 ± 2.94 25 ± 2.94 29.33 ± 4.22 b
G433.67 ± 1.71 23.67 ± 1.29 26.67 ± 1.29 29.56 ± 4.90 b
Means ± SD 33.3 ± 1.69a26 ± 4.17b27.2 ± 3.65b
Groups Triglycerides (g/dL)
Day 1 Day 7 Day 28 Means ± SD
G061.33 ± 1.83 61.33 ± 1.83 61.33 ± 1.83 62 ± 1.65a
G164.67 ± 1.53 76 ± 1.71 76 ± 1.71 72.33 ± 5.3a
G265.3 ± 3.92 74 ± 2.22 72 ± 2.22 70.1 ± 5.32ab
G363 ± 3.30 72 ± 1.63 68 ± 1.63 68.08 ± 3.91b
G466 ± 1.71 74 ± 3.11 66.67 ± 2.45 68.75 ± 4.18b
Means ± SD 64.5 ± 2.91c71.5 ± 5.39a68.8 ± 5.23b
Food Sci. Technol, Campinas, Ahead of Print, 20206 6/7
Okra effect on hypercholesterolemia
okra seed oil respectively were 43.5 ± 2.31, 42.5 ± 3.82 and
41.08±3.42. estudy of Dubey&Mishra (2017) concluded the
reducing eect of okra seed on LDL cholesterol aer performing
bio- ecacy study on male albino rats for 42 days.
Aer inducing hypercholesterolemia in rats in the duration
of 30 days, dried okra seed powder at a dose of 250 and 500mg/kg
body weight of rats, was given to rats for 42 days. e results of
the respective study showed 30% signicant reduction of serum
LDL cholesterol levels in rats.
High density lipoproteins (HDL)
In this research work the impact of okra seed oil was evaluated
on changes in serum lipid proles of male Sprague Dowley rats
including normal, hypercholesterolemic groups and diseased
groups with 6%, 12% and 18% okra seed oil respectively with
special reference to cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, high
density lipoprotein and triglycerides. e variance showed the
mean comparisons of serum HDL cholesterol levels with respect
to treatments and days (Table 3). In the group G0 the means of
serum HDL cholesterol levels was 33.5 ± 1.16, which was decreased
to 27 ± 3.88 in positive control group G1, due to administration
of high fat diet. In treatment groups, the means of serum HDL
cholesterol as a result of inducing hypercholesterolemia in subjects
and followed by treatments of 6%,12% and 18% okra seed oil
respectively were 28.5 ± 4.93, 29.33 ± 4.22 and 29.56 ± 4.90.
Triglycerides
In this research work the impact of okra seed oil was evaluated
on changes in serum lipid proles of male Sprague Dowley rats
including normal, hypercholesterolemic groups and diseased
groups with 6%, 12% and 18% okra seed oil respectively with
particular reference to high density lipoprotein, cholesterol, low
density lipoprotein and triglycerides. In the group G
0
the means
of serum triglyceride levels was 62 ± 1.65, which was increased
to 72.33 ± 5.3 in positive control group G1, due to high fat diet.
In treatment groups, the means of serum triglyceride levels as
a result of inducing hypercholesterolemia in Sprague Dowley
rats, and followed by treatments of 6%,12% and 18% okra seed
oil respectively were 70.1 ± 5.32, 68.08 ± 3.91 and 68.75 ± 4.18.
e results showed signicant impact of days and treatments on
serum triglyceride levels of Sprague Dowley rats. Abolhassanietal.
(2017) assessed the upshot of mucilage of okra pods on the raised
serum lipid prole of Ratus Norvegicus by comparing the eect
with garlic and lemon mixture. e study was performed on
34 Ratus Norvegicus. 25% signicant reduction was observed
triglyceride levels of hypercholesterolemic rats receiving 10%
okra mucilage for 3 weeks.
4 Conclusion
Okra is gaining importance due to its therapeutic activities
and also known as functional food owing to its pharmacological
properties mainly anti-diabetic, anti-hypercholesterolemic and
anti- obesity activities. Hypercholesterolemia leads to various
complications due to oxidative stress and elevated cholesterol
level in the blood. Purposely, present study was conducted to
check the anti-hypercholesterolemic properties of okra seed oil in
hypercholesterolemic rats. Okra seeds were subjected for proximate
analysis, while seed oil was subjected for evaluating chemical
analysis. Mechanical extraction method was used for extracting
the oil from seeds of okra. A bio-ecacy study was organized
to calculate the eects of okra seed oil on hypercholesterolemia.
Results of proximate analysis showed that okra seeds contained
7.2% moisture, 20.1% protein, 11.75% fat, 29.54% ber content.
Physiochemical analysis of okra seed oil showed that saponication
value of okra seed oil was 180.66, acid value was 3.45, peroxide
value was 7.3 and specic gravity of 0.91. In bio-ecacy study
ve dierent groups of rats were designed. G
0
normal rats,
G
1
positive control group, G
2
hypercholesterolemic rats+6%
okra seed oil, G3hypercholesterolemic rats+12% okra seed oil,
G4hypercholesterolemic rats+18% okra seed oil. Okra seed oil
showed signicant eect on body weight. Maximum weight
increase was examined in group receiving 18% okra seed oil.
Moreover, treatments have non-signicant eect on the feed
intake and drink intake of rats. Decreasing pattern was observed
for triglycerides, LDL and cholesterol. While increasing pattern
was observed with HDL due to the administration of okra seed
oil. Concisely, okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) seed oil has been
proved as advantageous in reducing hypercholesterolemia. Okra
Figure 1. Changes in body weight (a), feed intake (b), LDL (c), drink intake (d), cholesterol (e), HDL (f) of dierent groups of rats.
Khanetal.
Food Sci. Technol, Campinas, Ahead of Print, 2020 7/7 7
seed oil plays crucial role in maintenance of lipid prole in the
body. Conclusively, it was concluded from present study that
okra possess essential health benets.
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