SYNERGISTIC HYPOCHOLESTEROLEMIC AND HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF COMBINED CHIA (SALVIA HISPANICA) AND BASIL (OCIMUM BASILICUM) SEED POWDER IN A POLOXAMER-407 INDUCED HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIC RAT MODEL

Abstract

Hypercholesterolemia is a critical metabolic disorder characterized by elevated blood lipids and is a primary risk factor for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. While statins are effective, their side effects highlight the need for natural, dietary interventions. Chia (Salvia hispanica) and basil (Ocimum basilicum) seeds are rich in bioactive compounds like dietary fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and polyphenols, which are known to modulate lipid metabolism. This study aimed to evaluate the hypocholesterolemic, hematological, and hepatoprotective effects of dietary supplementation with chia and basil seed powders, both individually and in combination, a poloxamer-407-induced hyperlipidemic rat model. Proximate analysis confirmed the high nutritional value of the seeds, with basil seeds exhibiting superior antioxidant activity (Total Phenolic Content: 18.31 ± 0.58 mg GAE/g; DPPH scavenging: 65.89 ± 2.07%) compared to chia seeds (TPC: 14.72 ± 0.42 mg GAE/g; DPPH: 58.14 ± 1.62%). Twenty male albino rats were divided into five groups: a normal control (T0), a hyperlipidemic control (T1), and three treatment groups receiving a high-cholesterol diet supplemented with either 2g chia seed powder (T2), 2g basil seed powder (T3), or a 2g chia + 2g basil seed powder combination (T4) for 28 days. The combined treatment (T4) demonstrated the most significant therapeutic effects. It markedly improved the lipid profile, reducing total cholesterol to 95.51 ± 1.9 mg/dL, triglycerides to 117.8 ± 1.6 mg/dL, LDL to 42.67 ± 1.2 mg/dL, and VLDL to 28.4 ± 1.1 mg/dL, while increasing HDL to 50.5 ± 1.0 mg/dL, compared to the hyperlipidemic control (T1). The seed powders also exhibited hepatoprotective properties, as evidenced by the significant reduction in liver enzymes ALT (42.2 ± 1.6 U/L), AST (58.2 ± 1.6 U/L), and ALP (39.5 ± 1.6 U/L) in the T4 group. Furthermore, supplementation preserved hematological parameters, maintaining hemoglobin (13.7 ± 0.4 g/dL), RBC count (8.4 ± 1.08 ×10³/μL), and hematocrit (37.4 ± 1.0%) near normal levels, and showed a modulatory effect on WBC count (9.3 ± 0.2 ×10³/μL). All data were statistically significant at p < 0.05. In conclusion, the dietary incorporation of chia and basil seed powders, particularly in combination, demonstrated potent hypocholesterolemic, hepatoprotective, and hematopoiesis-supporting effects. These findings position the chia-basil seed mixture as a promising, natural dietary strategy for managing hypercholesterolemia and mitigating associated cardiovascular risks.