Hypolipidemic Effect of Persimmon in Rats Fed High Fat Diet and its Use in Juice and Nectar Preparation

Abstract

The objective of this study is to investigate the hypolipidemic effects of persimmon fruit on rats fed on high fat diet. Three groups of male Wister rats were fed on: normal control (NC), high-fat (HF), and high fat supplemented with whole dried persimmon (Pers/HF; 7%, wt/wt) diets. The results revealed that, the rat’s body weight gain and relative liver weight were significantly higher in the group fed on HF than the other two groups. The animals fed on diets supplemented with persimmon had improved lipid profile as compared to high fat group. Furthermore, the supplementation with persimmon induced a significant increase in levels of reduced glutathione and a reduction in malondialdehyde level when compared to high fat group. In addition, the histopathological examination of the heart and aorta in rats group fed on high fat showed severe histological changes as compared to supplemented persimmon group, these results reflecting the protective effect of persimmon against atherosclerosis. In this study, juice and nectar were prepared from fresh persimmon fruit as well as from persimmon powder. The dehydration process improved the sensory attributes of rehydrated persimmon juice and nectar as compared to fresh samples