Inclusion of Selected Spices in Wistar Rats Diets: Effects on their Heart Functions.

Abstract:

The effects of extracts of Aframomum danielli, rough skin plum and country onion on the heart functions of Albino wistar rats were evaluated. The rats diets were substituted with these spices at 5%, 10% and 15% inclusions, respectively; feeding duration was 28 days. At intervals of 7 days, their blood was taken and analysed for: triglycerides, total serum cholesterol, low density lipoproteins and high density lipoprotein cholesterol, to ascertain the heart functions of the wistar rats.. The values obtained from these tests, showed that the triglyceride, total serum cholesterol and low density cholesterol in the blood of test animals reduced from 180.4mg/dl to 163.87mg/100g, 136.93mg/dl to 130.00mg/dl,77.92mg/dl to 75.74mg/dl, respectively. While the high density lipoproteins cholesterol in the blood of the test animals increased from 24.10mg/dl to 28.73mg/dl. . Despite the increase in the HDL in the blood of the test animals, all the mean concentrations of high density lipoprotein (HDL) obtained in this study were found to be very low as Medline Plus (2007) reported that 60mg/dl or above HDL helps to protect the heart against diseases. Hence, constant use of these spices is recommended to help boost the HDL level and help curb any possible means of heart disease.