Potential Protective Effects of Okra (Abelmoschus Esculentus) Seed Oil Against Cadmium-Induced Oxidative Lipid Damage in Male Rats

Authors

• Amani Ahmad Rifai Filimban, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80203 Jeddah 21589, Saudi ArabiaFollow
• Nada Abdulkareem Batais, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80203 Jeddah 21589, Saudi ArabiaFollow

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the protective effect of okra seed oil against cadmium-induced toxicity in male Wistar rats.

Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar rats (8-weeks old, average 120g) were divided into four groups (n=6): Control/ Received deionized water. Cadmium/ Received 5 mg/kg/day of cadmium chloride (CdCl₂) orally. Okra Seed Oil/ Treated with 800 mg/kg/day of okra seed oil. Okra Seed Oil + Cadmium/ Received okra seed oil followed three hours later by CdCl₂. Treatments were given daily. Lipid profiles and antioxidant markers were measured to assess metabolic effects.

Results: Cadmium exposure caused significant dyslipidemia, characterized by elevated levels of very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), cholesterol, and triglycerides (T.G.), along with decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels. The co-administration of okra seed oil notably improved these lipid parameters, bringing them closer to normal values. Furthermore, cadmium exposure significantly increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels while inhibiting antioxidant defenses, as evidenced by decreased activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH). Treatment with okra seed oil effectively restored these antioxidant markers, demonstrating a strong protective effect against oxidative damage induced by cadmium.

Conclusion: Okra seed oil has notable protective effects against cadmium-induced lipid dysregulation and oxidative stress. These findings indicate that okra seed oil could be a promising natural therapeutic agent for reducing metabolic and oxidative disturbances related to heavy metals.

First Page

12

Last Page

28

Recommended Citation

Filimban, Amani Ahmad Rifai and Batais, Nada Abdulkareem (2026) "Potential Protective Effects of Okra (Abelmoschus Esculentus) Seed Oil Against Cadmium-Induced Oxidative Lipid Damage in Male Rats," The Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Science: Vol. 36: Iss. 2, Article 2.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64064/1658-4252.1026

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