Effect of lycopene-enriched olive and argan oils upon lipid serum parameters in Wistar rats

J Sci Food Agric. 2014 Nov;94(14):2943-50. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.6638. Epub 2014 Apr 7.

Abstract

Background: Lycopene has the highest antioxidant activity within carotenoids and is an effective free radical scavenger. Virgin olive oil (VOO) and argan oil (AO) contain trace amounts of a wide variety of phytochemicals which have desirable nutritional properties. The present study intended to assess the effect of various dietary VOO and AO in combination with lycopene consumption on serum biochemical parameters, including total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TGs) and phospholipids, as well as on hepatosomatic index (HSI) of rats.

Results: Results showed that ingestion of VOO and AO diminished TC, LDL-C, TGs and phospholipid levels, whereas the HDL-C levels augmented in all the groups assayed. The enrichment of VOO and AO with lycopene improved the beneficial effects derived from the consumption of both oils on serum biochemical parameters. A decrease in body weight gain and HSI was detected after the consumption of lycopene-enriched oils.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that the inclusion of lycopene in VOO and AO may be used as a natural tool to fight against hyperlipidaemic and hypercholesterolaemic-derived disorders.

Keywords: argan oil; high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol; low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol; lycopene; triglyceride; virgin olive oil.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carotenoids / chemistry*
  • Lipids / blood*
  • Lycopene
  • Olive Oil
  • Plant Oils / chemistry*
  • Plant Oils / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar

Substances

  • Lipids
  • Olive Oil
  • Plant Oils
  • Carotenoids
  • argan oil
  • Lycopene