Effect of Formulated Edible Oils From Groundnut and African Walnut Oils on Some Hematological, Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress Markers in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Wistar Rats

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of groundnut oil, African walnut oil, and their blends on some biochemical parameters in obese Wistar rats. Obesity was induced with a high-fat diet for 60 days and managed with oils and orlistat for 28 days. The rats were sacrificed on the 29th day, and the serum and blood were collected. The serum was used to evaluate oxidative stress and cytokine markers, while the blood was used for hematology studies. Results showed that oil quality indices were within standard ranges as recommended by the norm. Hematological assessments showed no significant differences in most parameters across groups, except for platelet counts, which were lower in the group taking 100% of groundnut oil. Catalase activity and glutathione peroxidase (GSH) levels were evaluated in various organs. The normal group exhibited the highest catalase activity in the brain and liver compared with the rats that received the high-fat diet. Notably, GSH activity was higher in the brains of rats receiving the 60:40 blend. Thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values indicated lower oxidative stress in the normal and 100% walnut oil groups. Nitric oxide concentrations were significantly higher in the normal and walnut oil groups compared with the negative control, suggesting a protective effect against oxidative stress. Cytokine analysis revealed elevated inflammatory markers in the negative control group, highlighting the potential anti-inflammatory properties of the oils. These findings suggest that groundnut oil, African walnut oil, and their blends might have anti-inflammatory activities, might preserve hematological markers, and protect against oxidative stress.

Keywords: formulated edible oils; hematology; inflammation; obesity; oxidative stress.

FIGURE 1

Fatty acid chromatogram of A = Groundnut oil; B = African walnut oil; C = 50:50 (Groundnut oil:African walnut oil); D = 60:40 (Groundnut oil:African walnut oil) (Source: Douky et al. 2025). N = 6. Values are presented as mean ± SD. ^a–dvalues of the same parameters with different superscripts are significantly different at p < 0.05.

FIGURE 2

Inflammatory cytokines (TNF‐α, INF‐δ, IL‐1β, and IL‐6) of animal sera.