Abstract

ANTI-OBESITY AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF CUCURBITA MAXIMA DUCHESNE (L) ALBINO WISTAR RATS

S.Shobana and Dr. J. Jayachitra*

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the hypolipidemic and antioxidant activity of Cucurbita maxima Duchesne (L). in albino wistar rats. Methods: Rats were divided into four groups, groups 1 received 0.5% saline; groups 2 received control and ethanolic extract Cucurbita maxima Duchesne with saline groups 3 received high fat diet;and group 4 received high fat diet with 0.5% saline and ethanolic extract Cucurbita maxima Duchesne for the total experimental period of 8 days. Results: The results showed significantly elevated levels of serum thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), total cholesterol, triglycerides, VLDL and LDL and significantly lowered enzymic antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and level of HDL in high fat diet treated rats compared with the control. Ethanolic extract Cucurbita maxima Duchesne (L).administration to rats with high fat diet induced hyper lipedemia significantly decreased the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, total cholesterol, triglycerides, VLDL and LDL and significantly elevated the activity of superoxide dismutase and level of HDL in the serum compared with those of the unsupplemented high fat diet treated rats. The different biochemical parameters registered a significant rise in serum of high fat diet treated rats as compared to the normal control. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the hypolipidemic and antioxidant activity of Cucurbita maxima Duchesne (L). in albino wistar rats.

Keywords: Cucurbita maxima Duchesne (L); hypolipidemic and antioxidant activity; high fat diet.