The Protective Effect of Turnip Leaves Against Oxidative Stress Induced by High Cholesterol Diet in Adult Rats

The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of turnip leaves against oxidative stress induced by high cholesterol diet in adult rats. Five groups of rats were used for 4 weeks, group (1) fed on basal diet (negative group), group (2) fed high cholesterol-diet (positive group), groups (3), (4) and (5) were fed high cholesterol-diets with addition of turnip leaves at three levels of intake (5, 10 and 15%, respectively). Results revealed that positive control group had significant increase in serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), LDL-C, VLDL-C, ALT, AST, creatinine and urea as well as malondialdahyde (MOD) and nitric oxide (NO). However, there was significant decrease in serum level of HDL-C; total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) compared to the negative control groups. Rats fed on high cholesterol diet at different levels of turnip leaves showed significant reduction in serum levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, VLDL-C, ALT, AST, creatinine, urea, MOD and NO, but significant increased in serum level HDL-C, TAC and SOD compared to the positive control group. Nutrition education programs are needed to inform the public about the importance of turnip leaves in decreasing the risk of heart disease.