The Effect of Benniseed Oil (Sesamum indicum Linn) on Induced Hypercholesterolemia in Albino Rats

The study was designed to investigate the antioxidant and antitoxicological potential of Sesamum indicum Linn seed (benni seed) oil on hypercholesterolemic rat. Albino rats weighing between 120-130 g were divided into two groups, group 1, was fed with normal rat diet(normal control), groups 2 was fed 1% cholesterol and 20% soya bean oil for 3 weeks to induce hypercholesterolemic state. Group 2 was later divided into groups 2, 3 and 4, group 2 was untreated, groups 3 and 4 were later fed with 5% and 10% Sesamum indicum L. seed oil incorporated in normal rat diet for another 6 weeks respectively. Significant (P<0.05) increase in lipid peroxidation (TBARs) and reduction in superoxide dismutate (SOD) and catalase (CAT) was observed in the liver of the hypercholesterolemic rats as compared to the normal control. At the same time, the oxidative stress causes significant (P<0.05) increase in serum level of Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) of hypercholesterolemic rats.

Administering Sesamum indicum Linn seed oil significantly reduced (P<0.05), serum ALT, AST, ALP and lipid peroxidation, elevated the level of SOD and CAT in the liver of Sesamum oil treated hypercholesterolemic rats.

These findings indicate that Sesamum indicum Linn seed oil show possible prevention of hepatic stress by high cholesterol and free radical mediated oxidative stress in cells of experimental hypercholesterolemic rats.