ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the role of red palm oil (RPO), rooibos tea extract (RTE) and their combined treatment (RPO + RTE) on antioxidant status in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.@*METHODS@#Diabetes mellitus was induced by a single administration of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg) and the rats were treated for 7 weeks. Antioxidant enzymes [catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD)], antioxidant capacity [trolox equivalence antioxidant capacity (TEAC), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC)] as well as total protein, albumin, globulin, total glutathione, conjugated diene and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were investigated.@*RESULTS@#Treatment with RPO, RTE and RPO + RTE significantly (p>0.05) improved liver SOD and plasma ORAC in the diabetic rats. Similarly, diabetic rats treated with RTE and RPO + RTE enhanced liver GPx. A significant (P<0.05) increase in the plasma TBARS in the diabetic control group was observed when compared with the normal control group. Treatment of diabetic rats with RTE and RPO + RTE reduced plasma TBARS to a level not significantly different at P<0.05 from the normal control group.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The results revealed the anti-oxidative potentials of red palm oil, rooibos and their combination in diabetic conditions and hence, they could be useful in the management of diabetes and its complications.
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Rats , Antioxidants , Chemistry , Pharmacology , Aspalathus , Chemistry , Blood Proteins , Body Weight , Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental , Metabolism , Glutathione , Liver , Chemistry , Organ Size , Oxidative Stress , Oxidoreductases , Blood , Palm Oil , Plant Extracts , Chemistry , Pharmacology , Plant Oils , Chemistry , Pharmacology , Polyphenols , Chemistry , Rats, WistarABSTRACT
Introduction: Carotenoid-rich red palm oil (RPO)-based snacks have been provided to children in impoverished communities to improve their vitamin A status. The non-availabilty of information on the acceptability of RPO-based snacks by Malaysian aborigines (Orang Asli) children forms the basis of this study. Methods: Twenty-one Orang Asli children, majority of whom had normal body mass index for age (BMI-for-age) and aged 4.73 ± 0.92 years in Sungai Tekir, Negeri Sembilan were provided with three freshly-prepared snacks (springroll, curry puff or doughnut) each containing one teaspoon or 5 ml of RPO per serving, on separate mornings. On the fourth morning, one serving each of all 3 different snacks was provided together on a plate to every child for consumption and preference for the snacks recorded. The children’s habitual vitamin A intakes were assessed by a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and carotenoid retention tests for the prepared snacks were performed by column chromatography. Results: Fifty-four percent of the children did not meet their RNI for vitamin A. Based on acceptance criterion of consuming at least one-half serving of the snacks provided, springroll and curry puff recorded 100% acceptability while doughnut had 82% acceptability. Preference of snack was in the order, springroll (47%)> doughtnut (35%)> curry puff (18%), but a Ztest test for proportions showed no statistical significance. Carotenoid retention tests showed great variation between snacks namely, doughnut (100%) >springroll (84%)>curry puff (45%). Conclusion: The overall findings indicate that the RPO-based snacks are highly acceptable and can be used to improve the dietary intake of provitamin A carotenoids of Malaysian Orang Asli children.