Background: Sesame oil includes unsaturated fatty acids and phosphatidyle choline (lecithin). Regarding to nutritional properties and lack of cardiovascular side effects of sesame oil, its effect on blood cholesterol level in aged and young rats were studied.
Materials and methods: In this study, aged and young rats were assigned into four groups of eight as follows. One group received ordinary diet, as control and other groups received additional sesame oil 10% for 2, 3 and 4 weeks, respectively. Finally, blood samples were obtained from rat hearts and were studied by enzymatic methods.
Results: Total cholesterol level was statistically lower in both young and aged rats receiving sesame oil 10% for 2, 3 and 4 weeks, compared with control groups (p<0.05).
Conclusion: This study showed that sesame oil is able to decrease blood cholesterol level.