Effect of Juice Extract of Beetroot, Lemon, Pawpaw Leaf and Their Combinations on Weight and Lipid Profile of Albino Wistar Rat

Abstract

Fruits and vegetables have been found to contain important phytochemicals that have been implicated in preventing overweight and obesity. This study is aim at investigating the effects of lemon, pawpaw leaves, beetroots juices and their combinations on rates of urination, defecation, and weight changes of albino wistar rats were examine at interval. Also, the effects of the juice extracts on cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein and low density lipoprotein where examined. Juice was extracted using a laboratory extractor. Results obtained indicates an increase in weight in groups A, B, C, D, E, F and G. But a decrease in weight was noticed in group H, which is the group administered all juice extracts at equal proportion. A reduction in the volume of urine was noticed in group A, B, C, D, F, G and H. Urine level was seen to increase in group E. The quantity of feces was observed to reduce in groups A, E, F, G and H. with the exception of groups B,C and D where the feces level was seen to increase. Cholesterol level was observed to reduce drastically in group D compared with other groups. Triglyceride level was observed to be low in group B compared with other groups. HDL level was very low in group H compared to other groups. LDL level was very low in group D compared with other groups. Group D also had a very high effect on HDL and LDL by increasing and reducing HDL and LDL respectively. This is only second to control group. The above evidences suggests that some fruit juices directly inhibits weight gain by providing the needed calories required by the body for its activity. This implies that consumption has a potential role in the prevention of overweight and obesity.