Abstract
Coriander (
Coriandrum sativum
L.) seed oil (COR) is a promising oil with high levels of bioactive compounds. Very little information, however, is available on the effect of administration of COR on different aspects of plasma lipid profile in experimental animals. In view of the important implications, the effect of administration of COR and oil blend [a mixture of soybean oil, coriander oil and sunflower oil (4:2:4, w/w/w; Blend)] on the profile of plasma lipids was investigated in 24 male albino rats placed on a cholesterol-rich (1%) basal diet as compared to rats on a cholesterol-free basal diet. Coriander seed oil and Blend were analyzed for composition of fatty acid, sterol and tocopherol. The levels of bioactive compounds (sterols and tocopherols) were higher in COR than in the Blend. In addition, the antiradical potential of COR and Blend was measured and the results showed that COR had stronger radical scavenging activity than Blend. In the biological experiment, rats were divided into four diet groups. The negative control group (control) consumed the basal diet (BD) only, which contained wheat starch, casein and cellulose, as well as mineral and vitamin mixtures. To the BD were added 1 g/100 g cholesterol (Chol/group), or both (Chol/COR group) and (Chol/Blend group). The groups did not differ before the experiment, which lasted 60 days. Plasma total lipids (TL), triacylglycerols (TAG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL
-
C) were measured at day 15, 30, 45 and 60 during the experiment period. Generally, COR and Blend-supplemented diets decreased the levels of TL, TC, TAG and LDL-C in plasma. In addition, significant increase in the levels of HDL-C was observed for Chol/COR and Chol/Blend groups. The results demonstrated that COR, and to a relatively lesser degree Blend, have hypocholesterolemic properties in rats fed a cholesterol-rich diet.