Cholesterol and triglyceride reduction in rats fed Matthiola incana seed oil rich in (n-3) fatty acids.
Seeds of Matthiola incana contain oil rich (55-65%) in (n-3) linolenic acid. Selected lines were developed and evaluated for their agronomic and chemical parameters. Extracted oil was fed for 6 weeks to rats, which were compared with rats fed a diet containing coconut oil or sunflower oil. Cholesterol levels were significantly lowest in rats fed diets rich in M. incana oil (27% reduction), and triglycerides were significantly lower in rats receiving either M. incana or sunflower oil (36% reduction). The contents of arachidonic acid and other (n-6) fatty acids were significantly the lowest in the liver and plasma of rats that had received M. incana oil. The levels of (n-3) fatty acids were significantly greater in both the liver and plasma of rats fed M. incana oil. The ratio of (n-3)/(n-6) long-chain fatty acids in the plasma was 7 times higher in rats fed with M. incana oil than in those fed with sunflower oil and 6 times higher than in those fed coconut oil. The results demonstrate for the first time a beneficial effect of dietary M. incana oil in reducing cholesterol levels and increasing (n-3) fatty acid levels in the plasma. This new, terrestrial plant source of (n-3) fatty acids could replace marine oils and thereby contribute beneficially to the human diet.
Yaniv
Z
Z
Department of Genetic Resources and Seed Research, Institute of Field Crops, ARO, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel. vayaniv@volcani.agri.gov.il
Schafferman
D
D
Shamir
I
I
Madar
Z
Z
D000818:Animals; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019607:Brassicaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D004032:Diet; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D005227:Fatty Acids; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol