Hypocholesterolaemic Effect of Okra on Cholesterol Induced Wistar Rats

Abstract

Okra or Lady's fingers (Hibiscus esculentus) which belongs to the Family Malvaceae is a mucilaginous vegetable frequently included in the diet of Sri Lankans. There is currently great deal of interest in the hypoglycaemic effect of various vegetables. It has been reported that the cholesterol lowering effect of H. esculentus in Senegalese adult men. Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench., synonym of H. esculentus which is available in all over the world, popular and has been claimed to have various health benefits and include anti diabetic properties. According to our studies it shows that okra fruit possesses hypoglycaemic activity and the anti-hyperglycaemic compound present in okra fruit is heat labile. The aim of this study was to investigate the hypocholestrolaemic effects of the water extract of okra fruit on Wistar rats. Weanling male Wistar rats (100g - 150g) were separated in to groups (test and control) with 8 rats in each group. Hypercholesterolaemia was induced by giving a diet containing 10% butter (Highland), 90% WHO recommended rat and mice feed pellets and water ad libitum for 28 days. Induction of Hypercholesterolaemia was verified after 28 days by measuring fasting (12-14hrs) blood cholesterol levels. These animals were used as positive control and for the test groups. The negative control animals were fed on WHO recommended rat and mice feed formula and water ad libitum. The positive control group and the test groups were given hypercholesterlomic diet continuously while the test groups were orally feeding the water extract of okra (with 500 and 1000mg/Kg dose) for 7 days. After one week the rats were fasted (12-14hrs) and anesthetized and blood was collected from tail vein for determination of fasting serum cholesterol levels. All the results were compared by using the Student's t-Test in Microsoft Excel. Administration of water extract of Okra at the dose of 1000mg/Kg showed significant reduction (p<0.05) in the level of serum cholesterol in Wistar rats while the dose 500mg/kg was not. Therefore okra can be used as a vegetable with hypoglycaemic and hypocholesterolomic properties.