Hypocholesterolemic and Hypoglycemic Effect of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) Incorporated Experimental Diets in Wistar Rats (Rattus norvegicus)

This study was carried out to investigate the hypocholesterolemic and hypoglycemic effect of four cowpea cultivars. Wistar rats were grouped and fed a high fat diet with 20% Bombay (BO), 20% MI 35 (MI), 20% Waruni (WA), 20% Dawala (DA) in comparison with 20% casein (HFD). Serum total cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, triacylglyceride and glucose concentrations and serum antioxidant activity were analysed. Serum lipids, glucose concentrations and serum antioxidant activity in WA fed rats were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than HFD. Therefore, raw Waruni cowpea produced significant hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic effects in Wistar rats. (C) 2014 Published by Elsevier B.V.