Antihyperlipidemic activity of chickpea sprouts supplementation in ovariectomy-induced dyslipidemia in rats

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.