Hypo-Cholesterolemic and Hypoglycemic Effects of Orange Albedo Powder (Citrus Aurantium L.) on Male Albino Rats

The present study was conducted to evaluates the hypocholesterolemic and hypoglycemic effects of dietary Orange Albedo Powder (Citrus Aurantium L.) in the hypercholesterolemic albino rats, also to examine various oxidative stress-associated with some biochemical parameters. Thirty two male albino rats weighing 110 + 10 g were divided into four groups, the first group received the basal diet only and served as (negative control), the second group received the hypercholesterolemic diet and served as (positive control), the other two groups received hypercholesterolemic diet supplemented with 10%, 20% orange albedo powder respectively (OrAP) for six weeks spontanously. The obtained results revealed that the groups of rats which received diets supplemented with 10% and 20% OrAP were significantly decrease total lipid, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase), when compared with positive control, also kidney functions were significantly improved. Body weight gain and food intake were significantly decreased when compared with positive control. The results indicate that the orange albedo is a good source of natural fiber. It could use in obese people for body loss, also serves to improve blood picture and to reduce the blood glucose level in hypercholesterolemic rats.