COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF THEOBROMINE AND COCOA EXTRACT ON LIPID PROFILE IN RATS by M. U. Eteng, Ph.D., R. R. Ettarh
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ABSTRACT
The effects of theobromine and an extract of cocoa seeds on lipid parameters were compared in rats. Theobromine (700mg/kg) and cocoa extract were administered orally on four consecutive days and serum obtained for lipid analysis. Theobromine caused significant (P<0.01 to P<0.001) decreases in total serum cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides, but significantly (P<0.00 I ) elevated HDL-cholesterol. Cocoa seed extract containing an equivalent amount of theobromine induced significant (P<0.01 to P<0.001) increases in all the lipid parameters relative to control rats. The results suggest that hypercholeiterolemic effect observed with cocoa extract is not due to the alkaloid theobromine but may rather be caused by some other constituent of the extract.
KEY WORDS: Theobromine, Cocoa extract, HDL-cholesterol, Lipid parameters