Antiatherogenic properties of vegetable juice rich in antioxidants in cholesterol-fed rats

Vegetable juice was prepared from a mixture of tomato, watercress, parsley, carrots, celery, lettuce, beets and spinach and analyzed for its antioxidant content and activity (total phenols, total flavonoids, carotenoids, chlorophyll A and B, vitamins C and E) and minerals. As well as antiatherogenic effects of vegetable juice on Wister rats fed on high fat diet was studied. The results revealed that, the vegetable juice had a high content of important compounds which act as antioxidants e.g., phenolic compounds (22.37 mg/L), lycopene (84.24 mg/100 g), vitamin C (5.25 mg/mL), carotenoids (0.93 mg/L) and Zn (5.02 mg/100 g). The biological evaluation indicated that, the rat’s body weight gain was significantly higher in the atherogenic control group (Ac) than those of the other two groups [normal control group (NC) fed on standard diet and vegetable juice group (VJ) fed on atherogenic diet and consumed vegetable juice (1 mL/g BW)]. An improvement in serum lipid profile of VJ group was observed. The histopathological examination of the heart and aorta confirmed these results which reflected the protective effect role of vegetable juice against atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases.