# Effect of Ajwa Date and Germinated Barley on Lipid Profile in Rats Fed High-Fat Diet
###### Abstract  
High levels of lipids and cholesterol, particularly LDL, in blood are considered the most common risk factors for cardiovascular diseases that threaten human life. Recently, interest has increased in the use of medicinal plants to treat various diseases due to their lack of side effects. The current study aims to investigate the effect of Ajwa date (AD) and germinated barley (GB) on the lipid profile in rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Thirty rats were distributed into five groups (six per group) as follows: the negative control group, the positive control group fed a HFD, and the other three groups that were fed a HFD supplemented with a mixture of AD and GB in equal ratios with different proportions of 20, 30, and 40% in the diet. There was an increase in moisture, protein, phenols, and vitamin C content and a decrease in the content of ash, carbohydrates, fats, and beta-glucans in GB. Blood total cholesterol levels decreased significantly (83.53, 70.12, and 73.55 mg/dL) in the groups fed the AD and GB mixtures in different percentages (20, 30, and 40%). Likewise, the AD and GB mixtures recorded a significant decrease in the level of triglycerides in the treated groups, with no significant effect on the high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein. There was a significant improvement in the level of alanine aminotransferase, while the level of aspartate aminotransferase was not affected by the treatment. In summary, AD and GB mixtures can modulate the lipid profile alterations caused by HFD through their phytochemical constituents, particularly beta-glucans. A jwa date; germinated barley; lipid profile; liver index; rat model +
Footnote †: journal: Medical  
monacolin, which is structurally equivalent to lovastatin. However, equally to other statins, monacolin K displayed anaphylaxis, hepatotoxicityoxicity, central nervous system complaints, rhabdomyolysis effects, and a high possibility of developing diabetes mellitus. This is the motivation because the search for new therapeutic plants for the control of cholesterol levels is important today, as is finding a new anti-cholesterol agent that can prevent high levels of cholesterol with mechanisms different from states [7]. Barley (_Hordeum vulgare_ L.) is an ancient plant of the Poaceae family and an essential cereal crop that is increasing worldwide due to high demand, covering about 9.4% of the world cereal production area [8]. Due to its nutritional value and the high amounts of biologically active compounds that are present in barley, there is a growing interest in its use as a component in food products, among all cereals. Barley grains contain the highest amount of \(\beta\)-glucans and other bioactive compounds with beneficial effects, such as phenolic compounds, vitamin C, tools, and sterols [9; 10]. The phytochemicals present in barley exhibit a high anti-oxidative ability, immunostimulant potentials, and anti-inflammatory effects. In addition, it has been proven previously that they can suppress LDL cholesterol while raising HDL cholesterol levels [11]. The germination approach improves the nutritional value and increases the bioactive components in grains [12]. Additionally, germination softens the granular structure, improves the digestibility of grains and seeds, and reduces anti-nutritional components [12; 13]. Furthermore, [12] reported that germinated barley (GB) improves the lipid profile in rats with steatohepatitis by feeding them a high-fat diet. However, limited reports were completed regarding the potential use of germinated barley in reducing lipid release after feeding rats with HFD. Ajwa date (AD, _Phoneix dactylifera_ L.) is one of the most abundant and popular dates and is cultivated in Al Madinah, western Saudi Arabia. Ajwa date has high nutritional and great medicinal value [14]. Fresh dates contain high amounts of antioxidants, carotenoids, anthocyanins, phenolics, and free and bound phenolic compounds among fruit varieties.