Eggplant (Solanum melongena) infusion has a modest and transitory effect on hypercholesterolemic subjects

Abstract

Eggplant (Solanum melongena) is consumed extensively in Brazil. It has been believed that infusion of a powdered preparation of the fruit may reduce serum cholesterol. However, there are few documented reports on its effects on cholesterol metabolism and its possible hypocholesterolemic effect has not been proved by well-controlled studies. The aim of the present study was to observe the effects of S. melongena on the serum cholesterol and triglycerides of 38 hypercholesterolemic human volunteers ingesting S. melongena infusion for five weeks. Thirty-eight hypercholesterolemic subjects receiving either S. melongena infusion (N = 19) or placebo (N = 19) participated in two clinical experiments in which the effect of S. melongena infusion was studied with (N = 16) or without (N = 38) dietary orientation. Total cholesterol and its fractions, triglycerides, and apolipoproteins A and B were measured in blood at the beginning of the experiment and three and five weeks thereafter. No differences were observed compared to control. Intraindividual analysis showed that S. melongena infusion significantly reduced the blood levels of total and LDL cholesterol and of apolipoprotein B. After dietary orientation, no intra-or intergroup differences were seen for any of the parameters analyzed. The results suggest that S. melongena infusion had a modest and transitory effect, which was not different from that obtained with standard orientation for dyslipidemia patients (diet and physical activities).

Assessment of Bioactive Compounds, Physicochemical Composition, and In Vitro Antioxidant Activity of Eggplant Flour

“…These results do not support the popular use of S. melongena extract as hypocholesterolemic agent. On the other hand, Guimarães et al 25 assessed S. melongena powder and found 15.09% protein, 1.42% lipids, 13.89% fibers, 0.22% calcium, and 0.31% phosphorus, and qualitative tests assessing composition showed positive results for the presence of polyphenols and saponins. These results are similar to those found in the present study regarding proteins and lipids (13.34 and 1.85%, respectively); however, far below with respect to fiber (39.19%, i.e., fiber concentration in EF was 2.8 times greater) and calcium concentrations.…”

Elaboração de biscoitos tipo salgado, com alto teor de fibra alimentar, utilizando farinha de berinjela (Solanum melongena, L.)

“…), mas também ao seu propagado efeito hipocolesterolêmico 24 . Outros componentes, como niacina, vitamina C, flavonóides e fibra, presentes na berinjela, também parecem exercer alterações benéficas sobre o metabolismo de lipídeos 16,13 .…”

O suco de berinjela (Solanum melongena) não modifica os níveis séricos de lípides

“…This pilot experiment, however, comprised individuals with total cholesterol < 200 mg/dL and covered a period of observation of 3 weeks, which may not have been sufficient to analyze occasional effects of eggplant extract. In a study using a 2% eggplant infusion, Guimarães et al 10 reported a transient and modest effect of eggplant infusion on cholesterol levels, which did not differ from that observed with the usual diet for hypercholesterolemic individuals. The authors suggest that the lack of efficacy of eggplant could be explained by its low concentration in the infusion (2%); in the study by Ribeiro Jorge et al 8 , the eggplant concentration in the juice administered to the rabbits was 58%.…”