ABSTRACT
Background: Phytoestrogens are increasingly becoming popular as alternatives for hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal condition. Objective: In this study, the antihyperlipidemic effect of chickpea (Cicer arientum) sprouts was evaluated in ovariectomy‑induced dyslipidemia in rat model in comparison with standard antihyperlipidemic agent atorvastatin. Materials and Methods: A total of 24 female adult Wistar rats were divided into four groups that is, Group I ‑ Control; Group II ‑ Ovariectomized (OVX) rats; Group III ‑ OVX + germinated chickpea sprouts (20% in diet) and Group IV OVX + atorvastatin (1.2 mg/kg b.wt, p.o.). Body and organ weights, serum, and liver lipid profile were assessed at the end of 8 weeks. Results: The results indicated that ovariectomy significantly (P < 0.05) increased total cholesterol, nonhigh‑density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides (TGs) in serum and liver. The total lipid and phospholipid content in liver were also significantly (P < 0.05) increased. The weights of uterus and heart were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased. Dietary supplementation with germinated chickpea normalized the lipid profile in serum and liver. Further, high‑density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, body weight, uterine, heart, and spleen weights were significantly (P < 0.05) increased. Atorvastatin administration showed similarly normalized lipid profile, but showed no improvement on decreased uterus and heart weights. Histopathological examination revealed fatty changes in liver, uterine atrophy, and subintimal fat accumulation in aorta in OVX group. The changes were mild in chickpea group with no improvement in statin group. Conclusions: Germinated seeds of chickpea showed significant antihyperlipidemic activity, which was comparable to atorvastatin. Further, germinated chickpea improved organ weights and helped in the reversal of histopathological changes suggesting its usefulness in postmenopausal condition.
ABSTRACT
The effect of dye factory effluent was studied with respect to germination and growth of Bengal gram Cicer arietinum L. In lower concentration the germination percentage and growth are relatively higher than the control, but gradual decrease in the germination of seeds, seedling growth with increase in effluent concentration was observed. The best germination, seedling growth, number of root nodules, yield and biochemical attributes was observed in 20% concentration with growth promoting effect and significantly better than control. Beyond 20% effluent, root and shoot length decreased. Thus the dye factory effluent can be safely used for irrigation purposes with proper treatment and dilution at 20%.
ABSTRACT
The products generated from linoleic acid by the two forms of Bengal gram lipoxygenase, BGL1 and BGL2, were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography using μ-porasil column with isooctane containing 0.5% ethanol as the solvent system. The 13-hydroperoxyoctadecadienoic acid and its 9-isomer which are known to be produced by soybean lipoxygenase-1 and the potato enzyme respectively were used as standards. The results show that BGL1 generated almost exclusively the 13-hydroperoxyoctadecadienoic acid while BGL2 produced both 13- and the 9-isomer in the ratio 21:79. The secondary keto derivatives formed in the BGL2 reaction were also separated by this technique.