Study on Hypolipidemic Activities of Safflower Seed Oil

Abstract

Safflower seed oil is known to be one of the richest natural sources of linoleic acid (LA), with values of up to 69.5% of the total fatty acids. Linoleic acid is known to has important biological activity and its absence in a normal diet has been described as responsible for the development of a wide variety of diseases. This work reported purified LA from safflower seed oil could lower blood liquids level of rats with hyperlipidemia. It showed that purified LA from safflower seed oil could decrease the serum total cholesterol and triglyceride concentration significantly, as well as increase the serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol. The serum atherosclerosis index (AI) was decreased remarkably. It demonstrated purified LA from safflower seed oil could improve metabolism of serum lipids and it could play active role of preventing atherosclerosis.