EFFECT OF AJWA DATE SEED ON LIPID PROFILE OF DIET INDUCED HYPERLIPIDEMIC RABBITS

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the antihyperlipedemic effect of Ajwa date (Phoenix dactylifera) seed on serum lipid levels of diet induced hyperlipidemic rabbits. METHODS: This randomized controlled study of six months duration was carried out at Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lahore after obtaining permission from institutional ethical committee. Male rabbits, 32 in number weighing between 0.9-1.3 kg were divided into four groups normal control (NC), high fat diet (HFD), HFD+2%Ajwa date seed powder (HFD+2%A) and HFD+4% Ajwa date seed powder (HFD+4%A) having 8 rabbits in each group. Group NC took normal diet while all other groups were given high fat diet for whole 12 weeks. After 4 weeks groups HFD+2%A and HFD+4%A; were given diet containing Ajwa date seed powder 2gm and 4gm per 100 gm of high fat diet respectively for next 8 weeks. Lipid profile was done at 0, 4, 8 and 12 weeks. RESULTS: Serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) is increased while serum cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), atherogenic index of plasma and LDL/HDL ratio decreased significantly in both th treatment groups. At 8 week HFD+4%A was more effective than th HFD+2%A but at 12 week both were equally effective. CONCLUSION: Ajwa date seeds were effective in improving the lipid profile despite high fat diet.