Effects of Asparagus racemosus Root Extracts on Serum Lipid Profiles, Lipid Peroxidation and Superoxide Dismutase in Ovariectomized Rat

Background: Once rats have been ovariectomized they have a high risk of cardiovascular disease due to changes in the blood cholesterol and lipid profile. Objective: To investigate the effects of Asparagus racemosus (AR) root extract on the serum lipid profiles, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant levels in ovariectomized rats. Methods: Twenty-five, two month-old female Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: SH, OVX,OEE, OAAR and OEAR. The daily doses of 500 mg/KgBW of the AR root extracts for five weeks.The levels of serum TG, TC, HDL, LDL, the liver, kidney and uterine tissue lipid peroxidation and SOD levels were determined. Results: Serum TC and LDL showed no significant differences in any groups. Serum TG of the OAAR and OEAR groups were not significantly different. The serum HDL of the OAAR and OEAR groups were significantly lower than the OEE group. The liver MDA levels of the OAAR and OEAR groups were significantly decreased compared with the OVX and OEE groups while the SOD level of the OAAR group was significantly increased. The MDA levels in the kidney and uterine of the treated group showed no significant difference. The SOD levels in the kidney of the treated group were not different but the SOD levels in uterine were significantly decreased. Conclusion: It can be believed that the lipid profiles were maybe regulated via estrogen.The AR extract has low effects on the lipid profiles at this dose and duration of treatment. The capacity of the extracts to decrease the MDA level and increase the SOD level in this study clearly reflected the antioxidant efficiency of these substances.