Cholesterol and Triglyceride Reduction in Rats Fed Matthiola incana Seed Oil Rich in (n−3) Fatty Acids

Seeds of Matthiola incana contain oil rich (55−65%) in (n−3) linolenic acid. Selected lines were developed and evaluated for their agronomic and chemical parameters. Extracted oil was fed for 6 weeks to rats, which were compared with rats fed a diet containing coconut oil or sunflower oil. Cholesterol levels were significantly lowest in rats fed diets rich in M. incana oil (27% reduction), and triglycerides were significantly lower in rats receiving either M. incana or sunflower oil (36% reduction). The contents of arachidonic acid and other (n−6) fatty acids were significantly the lowest in the liver and plasma of rats that had received M. incana oil. The levels of (n−3) fatty acids were significantly greater in both the liver and plasma of rats fed M. incana oil. The ratio of (n−3)/(n−6) long-chain fatty acids in the plasma was 7 times higher in rats fed with M. incana oil than in those fed with sunflower oil and 6 times higher than in those fed coconut oil. The results demonstrate for the first time a beneficial effect of dietary M. incana oil in reducing cholesterol levels and increasing (n−3) fatty acid levels in the plasma. This new, terrestrial plant source of (n−3) fatty acids could replace marine oils and thereby contribute beneficially to the human diet. Keywords: Matthiola sp. seed oils; dietary (n−3) fatty acids; plasma cholesterol and triglycerides