Eruca sativa seed oil: Characterization for potential beneficial properties

Abstract

Eruca sativa (ES) seed oil is used in food preparation and as source of natural medication. Eruca sativa (ES) seed oil was analysed for phenolic composition using high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD), pigment contents, quality characteristics. The oil was fed to rabbits for two weeks. Serum biochemistry, haematological and liver histological parameters were studied. Results showed that quercetin, caffeic acid and chlorogenic acids were the major phenolic compounds. Lycopene and other pigments were present in considerable amounts. Animal studies showed that the body weight of rabbits decreases with the increase of ES oil. The level of serum glucose, total cholesterols, triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol decrease significantly, while an increase was observed in the HDL-cholesterol. The level of white blood cells including lymphocytes and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration increases, while a significant increase occurred in platelets count with the increase of ES seed oil dose. In the present study microscopic observations in control and the treated groups showed similar cytoarchitecture of the liver with no significant histological changes. It is concluded that Eruca sativa seed oil is a rich source of important phytochemicals with anti-obesity properties in selected animals.