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ABSTRACT
The egusi melon seed (Cucumeropsis mannii) belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family. It is used as a thickener in a traditional soup known as “egusi soup”. The aim of this study is to investigate the potential effects of melon seed oil consumption on lipid profile and haematology indices. The lipid profile was studied using four groups of four animals in each group. For a period of 28 days, group 1 was treated with distilled water, group 2 was treated with egusi melon seed (Cucumeropsis mannii) oil, group 3 was treated with palm oil (Elaeis guineensis), and group 4 was treated with olive oil (Olea europaea). The animals were sacrificed. Blood was collected and used for haematology and lipid profile. The melon seed oil, palm oil, and olive oil reduced total cholesterol levels when compared to the control group (****P<0.0001; ***P<0.001; **P<0.01). Melon seed oil gave a better reduction of total cholesterol when compared to palm oil and olive oil (*P<0.05). The melon seed oil and olive oil reduced triglyceride levels when compared to the palm oil and control groups (**P<0.01; *P<0.05). The melon seed oil reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) levels when compared to palm oil, olive oil and control groups (**P<0.01). Melon seed oil had no effect on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) levels and all haematology parameters. Conclusively, melon seed oil lowers the levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoproteins.
