Rising trend of Nutraceuticals: Evaluation of lyophilized beetroot powder at different doses for its hypolipidemic effects

Abstract

A diet comprising of nutrients that would control hypertension as well as hyperlipidemia would be very beneficial over all. This study aimed to assess the effect of lyophilized beet root powder at different doses on lipid profile and hyperlipidemia model. Albino rabbits weighing 1500-2000gms were taken for both studies. Beetroot powder was administered to animals at 500mg/kg and 1000mg/kg doses and after two month dosing the blood samples were withdrawn and lipid profile was assessed. Next a model of hyperlipidemia was created comprising of albino rabbits that were divided into five groups each containing n=6. Group I was considered as control, Group II was marked as Negative control, Group III was taken as standard, whereas Group IV and V were considered as treated and given different doses of beetroot. Blood samples were drawn at baseline, 45 th day and at day 60 th of study. Highly significant decrease in lipid profile (Cholesterol, LDL and TGS) and significant increase in HDL was observed by both doses after one month. HDL was increased more at 1000mg/kg dose. The presence of flavonoids and saponins in beetroot is responsible for hypolipidemic effect. From our research we came to the conclusion that beetroot powder reduced the lipid profile and could be beneficial in treatment of cardiovascular disease due to atherosclerosis and obesity.