PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF Microtermes nigeriensis OIL ON LIPID PROFILE, FASTING BLOOD GLUCOSE AND ATHEROGENIC RISK PREDICTORS IN HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIC RATS

Background and Objectives: Hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, prompting interest in alternative dietary interventions with lipid-lowering properties. Edible insects are emerge as functional foods due to their rich nutrients and bioactive composition. This study evaluated the protective effects of Microtermes nigeriensis oil supplementation on lipid profile, fasting blood glucose, and atherogenic risk indices in hypercholesterolemic Wistar rats. Methods: Oil was extracted from M. nigeriensis using Soxhlet extraction with n-hexane, yielding 19.86%. Thirty male albino rats were divided into five groups: normal control, hypercholesterolemic control, hypercholesterolemic + 5% oil, hypercholesterolemic + 10% oil, and 15% oil only. Hypercholesterolemia was induced using egg yolk-enriched diet for 21 days. Serum lipid profile, fasting blood glucose, body weight, and atherogenic indices were determined using standard methods. Results: The oil was rich in oleic acid (55.16%) with total unsaturated fatty acids of 62.94%. Supplementation significantly reduced total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL-C while improving HDL-C. The 15% oil group showed the greatest effect, reducing total cholesterol by 36.29%, lowering LDL-C to 59.54 mg/L, and increasing HDL-C to 50.56 mg/L. Fasting blood glucose and atherogenic indices also improved significantly. Conclusion: Microtermes nigeriensis oil demonstrated hypolipidemic, glucose-lowering, and anti-atherogenic effects, suggesting potential as a functional dietary intervention against dyslipidemia.                   Peer Review History: Received 9 April 2026;   Reviewed 13 May 2026; Accepted  10 June; Available online 15 July 2026 Academic Editor: Dr. Asia Selman Abdullah, Pharmacy institute, University of Basrah, Iraq, asia_abdullah65@yahoo.com Reviewers: Dr. Sangeetha Arullappan, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia, sangeetha@utar.edu.my Dr. Tamer Elhabibi, Suez Canal University, Egypt, tamer_hassan@pharm.suez.edu.eg