Antihypertensive Potential of Japanese Quail (Couturnix Couturnix Japonica) Egg Yolk Oil (QEYO) in Sprague Dawley Rats

Muhammad Sani Ismaila; Sherifat Olayemi Balogun-Raji; Fahad Hamza; Usman Bello Sadiya; Buhari Salisu; Mohammed Umar; Ishaka Aminu; Kegan Romelle Jones

doi:10.3390/biology13040270

Antihypertensive Potential of Japanese Quail (Couturnix Couturnix Japonica) Egg Yolk Oil (QEYO) in Sprague Dawley Rats

Biology (Basel). 2024 Apr 18;13(4):270. doi: 10.3390/biology13040270.

Authors

Muhammad Sani Ismaila¹, Sherifat Olayemi Balogun-Raji², Fahad Hamza², Usman Bello Sadiya², Buhari Salisu³, Mohammed Umar⁴, Ishaka Aminu⁵, Kegan Romelle Jones¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine 999183, Trinidad and Tobago.
² Department of Veterinary Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto 840104, Nigeria.
³ Department of Veterinary Surgery & Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto 840104, Nigeria.
⁴ Department of Histopathology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto, Sokoto 840104, Nigeria.
⁵ Department of Medical Biochemistry, College of Health Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto 840104, Nigeria.

Abstract

Oils from animal sources have been used for centuries in the management of diseases. This research was conducted to screen the ex vivo and in vivo toxicity of quail egg yolk oil (QEYO) extracts and assess their effects on the management of hypertension in rats. QEYO was extracted using gentle heating (GH) and n-hexane (NHN). The extracts were subjected to toxicity testing using the hen's egg test on chorioallantoic membrane (HET-CAM) and bovine corneal histology test. Acute and sub-chronic toxicity (28 days) were evaluated in rats. Hypertension was induced in rats by administering 80 mg/kg of N^ω-L-Arginine Methyl Ester (L-NAME) per day for 28 days. Treatments commenced on the 14th day; Nifedipine at 30 mg/kg and 1 mL of distilled water were administered as positive and negative controls. Blood pressure (BP), lipid profiles, and oxidative stress markers were quantified. No irritation was observed using the HET-CAM test in the egg treated with both extracts. Bovine corneal histology showed no lesions in all treated groups. No signs of toxicity were observed in either acute or sub-chronic toxicity studies. A significant reduction in blood pressure was observed in rats treated with the extracts (p < 0.05). Changes in total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), low-density lipoproteins (LDLPs), and high-density lipoproteins (HDLPs) were not significant compared to the control (p > 0.05). Oxidative stress markers (SOD and CAT) increased significantly in the treated groups compared to the control, while the malondialdehyde levels decreased (p < 0.05). QEYO was safe in both ex vivo and in vivo studies and can be said to have the potential to lower blood pressure as well as cardio-protective effects in hypertensive rats. This research provides evidence based on which QEYO could be used safely as an adjuvant therapy in eye drops and cosmetics and can be considered an effective choice for preventing hypertension.

Keywords: BCOP test; HET-CAM irritation test; QEYO; acute and sub-chronic toxicity; histological changes; hypertension; lipid profile; oxidative stress biomarkers.

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.