Effect of Chia seed (Salvia Hispanica L.) on weight Reduction of obese Rats

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Nutrition and Food Science Department, Faculty of Home Economics, Helwan University.

Abstract

Chia is an annual herbaceous plant that belongs to genus Salvia of Lamiacea family. Salvia includes more than 1000 species.The effects of Chia seed on adiposity index, serum liver enzymes, lipid profile, blood glucose and renal functions in obese rats were investigated. Forty two adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 6 groups. The first main group (12 rats) was divided into two subgroups (the first subgroup was fed on basal diet   containing 14% protein) and (the second subgroup was fed on high protein diet “25%protein from casein”) as a control negative groups. The second main group (30 rats) was used to induce obesity by using high fat diet for 8 weeks, the second main group was divided into five subgroups (n= 6 rats) Subgroup (1):fed on high fat diet (HFD), containing 14% protein from casein as a control positive group. Subgroup (2): fed on high fat diet (HFD) containing 25% protein from casein, as a control positive group. Subgroup (3, 4 and 5): fed on HF and HP diets containing 2.5%, 5% and 10% Chia seeds. Blood samples were collected for separating the serum, which used for biochemical analyses. Livers and kidneys were taken for the histopathological examination. The results showed that oral administration of HFDto obese rats led to significantincrease(P<0.05) in BWG%, Relative Organ's Weights ,serum glucose, lipid profile, except HDL-c, liver enzymes,and kidney functions Test. Treating obese rats with high protein diet containing (2.5%, 5% and 10%) chia seeds improved all above parameters.The histopathological examination of livers confirmed these results, especially with the  useof the high level of chia seeds.   These results encourage the possibility of trialon obese patients.

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