Sesame as a hypocholesteraemic and antioxidant dietary component

Purpose of this study was to examine the dose dependant effects of sesame seed powder as a dietary supplement on hypercholesteraemic and oxidative stress conditions in male albino rats. Sesame seed (Sesamum indicum) powder was administered at 5% and 10% dose levels along with either normal or hypercholesteraemic diet for duration of four weeks. Administration of sesame seed powder to hypercholesteraemic rats resulted in a significant decline in plasma, hepatic total lipid and cholesterol levels and, plasma LDL-cholesterol levels with an increase in plasma HDL-cholesterol levels. Further, these animals also showed increased fecal excretion of cholesterol, neutral sterol and bile acid along with increases in hepatic HMG-CoA reductase activity and bile acid content. Additionally sesame seed feeding improved the hepatic antioxidant status (catalase and SOD enzyme activities) with a reduction in lipid peroxidation. No significant changes in lipid and antioxidant profiles occurred in the normocholesteraemic rats administered with sesame seed powder. These beneficial effects of sesame seed on hypercholesteraemic rats appeared to be due to its fiber, sterol, polyphenol and flavonoid content, enhancing the fecal cholesterol excretion and bile acid production and as well as increasing the antioxidant enzyme activities.