Lemon Juice Elevated Level of Reduced Glutathione and Improved Lipid Profile in Wistar Rats

The beneficial uses of lemon juice have been reported from ages. Such uses are however more of speculations than investigation. In this study, the actions of lemon juice on antioxidant status and lipid profile in wistar rats were investigated. Thirty rats were randomized into two groups of fifteen rats each. The first group (control) received distilled water and the second group was given lemon (10% in water), daily for five weeks in addition to the rat chow diet. Serum total protein, reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), superoxide (SOD) levels were determined as antioxidant status, while total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides were measured as the lipid profile. The resultof the antioxidant status showed significant increase (p<0.05) in the GSH levels of the lemon treated group (0.63±0.01 µg/ml/mg protein) relative to the control (0.53±0.03 µg/ml/mg protein) after 5 week of lemon intake. The lipid profile improved as shown by the significant reduction of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and significant increase in HDL cholesterol. The elevation of serum GSH could be responsible in part for the reported antioxidant effects of lemon juice. It is possible that one or more components in the administered lemon juice stimulated the production of GSH or the reduction of GSSG to GSH.