Effect of virgin olive and Pistacia lentiscus oils fortified with tomato lycopene on biochemical parameters in Wistar rats

Background: Pistacia lentiscus oil (PLO) and virgin olive oil (VOO) contain a large variety of phytochemicals providing beneficial effects. Lycopene is the main carotenoid with antioxidant properties. The consumption of lycopene containing foods may fight against cardiovascular diseases. Aims: The present study aims to evaluate the effects of fortified oils (VOO and PLO) with lycopene on some biochemical parameters in Wistar rats.  Material and Methods: The experimentation included 50 male Wistar rats from the Algerian Pasteur Institute for the duration of 9 weeks of treatment. Rats were divided into five experimental groups (n=10) and fed a different experimental diet each for 9 weeks: control group (C), Pistacia lentiscus oil group (PLO), lycopene-enriched Pistacia lentiscus oil group (PLO-Lyc), virgin olive oil group (VOO) and lycopene-enriched virgin olive oil (VOO-Lyc). Total Cholesterol (TC) concentration was determined by the enzymatic method CHOD-PAP, High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) with Biotrol diagnostic, the levels of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) were calculated using the Friedewald formula (LDL-C=TC−HDL-C−TGs/5). Triglycerides (TG) were determined by the enzymatic method PAP-1000 and Serum phospholipids (PL) were determined by an enzymatic colorimetric method. The plasma atherogenic index (PAI) was calculated as (TC/HDL-C). Results: Results showed that ingestion of PLO and VOO diminished TC, LDL-C, TG, and PL levels, whereas the HDL-C levels raised in all the groups assayed. Moreover, the lowest level of plasma atherogenic index (PAI) was shown in the VOO-Lyc group after 3, 6, and 9 weeks of treatment. Conclusions: The enrichment of PLO and VOO with lycopene improved the beneficial effects derived from the consumption of both oils on serum biochemical parameters. These findings suggest that lycopene enriched PLO and VOO may be used as a natural product to defend against some cardiovascular diseases (CVD) as hyperlipidemic and hypercholesterolemic acquired disorders.