Sesamum indicum diet improves lipid, hepatic, and antioxidant enzyme profiles of hyperlipidemic male Wistar rats

Abstract Hyperlipidemia is a major global health concern, driving cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and causing over 17.9 million annual deaths primarily through resulting oxidative stress and organ damage. Although statins effectively manage dyslipidemia, their clinical use is limited by associated risks like hepatotoxicity and renal failure, prompting a search for safer, natural alternatives. This study investigated the potential of Sesamum indicum (SI) seed supplementation in mitigating hyperlipidemia, oxidative stress, and organ injury in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed Wistar rats, using the statin atorvastatin as a benchmark. Fifty (50) male Wistar rats were divided into five (5) groups (n = 10): basal control, HFD untreated, HFD + 50% SI seeds, HFD + atorvastatin (0.02 mg/kg/day), and SI seeds alone. Hyperlipidemia was induced by a four-week HFD feeding period, followed by four (4) weeks of respective treatments. Lipid profiles (total cholesterol [TC], triglycerides [TG], low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C], high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C]), HMG-CoA reductase activity, oxidative markers (malondialdehyde [MDA], glutathione [GSH], superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT]), and tissue injury biomarkers (AST, ALT, ALP, urea, creatinine) were assessed in the liver, kidney, heart, and brain using colorimetric assays. Results were analyzed by ANOVA (p < 0.05). HFD administration successfully induced a hyperlipidemic phenotype, evidenced by significantly elevated TC, TG, LDL-C, HMG-CoA reductase activity, and reduced HDL-C, severe oxidative stress (increased MDA; suppressed SOD, CAT, and GSH) and substantial organ injury (elevated AST, ALP, urea, and creatinine). SI seed supplementation at 50% effectively reversed HFD-induced dyslipidemia (20–40% reduction in TC, TG, LDL-C; inhibited HMG-CoA reductase activity), significantly lowered MDA levels (30–50%), restored antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD/CAT up by 25–35%), and attenuated organ damage biomarkers (AST/ALT down by 40%) in a manner superior to atorvastatin’s protective effects. Our findings demonstrate that an SI diet effectively mitigates hyperlipidemia and associated complications, rivalling the lipid-lowering potency of atorvastatin while exhibiting superior systemic safety with respect some parameters. Further clinical trials and detailed molecular mechanistic studies are imperative to advance SI as a compelling nutraceutical therapy for the prevention and management of CVD and co-morbidities.