hormone replacement is the main line of treatment for preventing coronary heart disease in postmenopausal women , but it is associated with serious side - effects such as breast and endometrial cancers . in this context , phytoestrogenic molecules have received a great deal of attention over the last few years owing to their preventive role in chronic diseases such as cvd , osteoporosis and hormone related cancers . these phytochemicals posses estrogen - like biological activity and provide effective and secure alternative to hormone replacement therapy to adult women . the inquiry on the pharmacological activity of diverse plants and plant products is growing considerably in the recent past . novel applications of plants and plant products such as amelioration of heavy metal induced toxicities , synthesis of nanoparticles including normalization of dyslipidemias have been reported . chickpea or bengal gram ( cicer arientum l ) is the second largest legume cultivated in the world providing a rich source of dietary protein . c. arientum is known by several names throughout the world such as bengal gram ( indian ) , chickpea ( english ) , garbanzo ( latin american ) , hommes , hamaz ( arab world ) , shimbra ( ethiopian ) , nohud , lablabi ( turkey ) . chickpeas were also reported to be a rich source of vitamins , minerals and phytoestrogens . in addition , the process of germination increases the isoflavonoid content in chickpea seeds by 100-fold , mainly due to the increase in formononetin and biochanin a levels . chickpea seeds were used as tonic , stimulant , aphrodisiac , anthelminthic , appetizer and for relieving burning sensation in stomach . in ayurveda , the indian system of medicine , chickpea is considered to be dry ( rooksha ) and light ( laghu ) and hence is used to decrease kapha . due to these properties , it is indicated in the treatment of obesity and in patients who consume excess oily and heavy foods . further , it is also used for blood dyscrasias , ear infections , and liver and spleen disorders . in chinese herbal medicine , chickpea seeds were reported to have been employed for treating hypertension and diabetes mellitus for over the past 2500 years . among the medicinal properties attributed to chick pea , antihyperlipidemic activity has received much attention due to the presence of phytoestrogenic isoflavones biochanin - a and formononetin . the phytoestrogens in c. arientum were earlier demonstrated to possess moderate estrogenic effect in ovariectomized ( ovx ) rat model . further , several research works have demonstrated the cholesterol lowering effects of c. arientum in different types of hyperlipidemias such as induced by diet or triton . however , the antihyperlipidemic effect of c. arientum was not studied in estrogen deficiency - induced hyperlipidemia . hence , this study was designed to study the antihyperlipidemic effect of germinated c. arientum seeds in ovariectomy - induced hyperlipidemia in rats . chickpea seeds were obtained from local market and were identified by a botanist . the seeds were washed and soaked in water for overnight . the soaked seeds were rinsed and placed in commercially available sprout maker and allowed to sprout for 2 days . fresh sprouts were used in the preparation of respective experimental diet on a daily basis . healthy female adult wistar rats weighing 200 - 250 g were housed in a solid bottom poly propylene cages ( three animals in each ) at an ambient temperature of 25c  2c and 45 - 55% relative humidity with 1212 h light and dark cycle . female rats were ovariectomized ( ovx ) and 18 ovx rats were randomly divided into three groups ( n = 6 ) viz . , group ii i with normal adult females served as sham operated control group . throughout the experimental period , all the animals in groups i  iv received isocaloric purified diet with same protein content [ table 1 ] as per the recommendations of national research council with group iii receiving purified diet containing 20% germinated seeds of chickpea for 8 weeks . whole - blood was collected after overnight fasting for 8 h , for the estimation of serum lipid profile . the animals were sacrificed at the end of experimental period and organs were collected and weighed . liver , uteri , and aorta were collected for histopathological examination in 10% neutral buffered formalin . composition of experimental purified diets serum lipid profile that is , serum total cholesterol , hdl cholesterol , non - hdl cholesterol , tgs were determined enzymatically using standard kits obtained from span diagnostics pvt . liver total cholesterol and tgs were determined using standard kits obtained from span diagnostics pvt . ltd . , tissue pieces of liver , aorta and uterus were preserved in 10% neutral buffered formalin , later processed and stained by using hematoxylin and eosin and oil red o stains . the data were analyzed using one - way anova followed by tukey 's post - hoc test using statistical package for social sciences ( spss ) , version 17.0 . chickpea seeds were obtained from local market and were identified by a botanist . the seeds were washed and soaked in water for overnight . the soaked seeds were rinsed and placed in commercially available sprout maker and allowed to sprout for 2 days . fresh sprouts were used in the preparation of respective experimental diet on a daily basis . healthy female adult wistar rats weighing 200 - 250 g were housed in a solid bottom poly propylene cages ( three animals in each ) at an ambient temperature of 25c  2c and 45 - 55% relative humidity with 1212 h light and dark cycle . female rats were ovariectomized ( ovx ) and 18 ovx rats were randomly divided into three groups ( n = 6 ) viz . , group ii i with normal adult females served as sham operated control group . throughout the experimental period , all the animals in groups i  iv received isocaloric purified diet with same protein content [ table 1 ] as per the recommendations of national research council with group iii receiving purified diet containing 20% germinated seeds of chickpea for 8 weeks . whole - blood was collected after overnight fasting for 8 h , for the estimation of serum lipid profile . the animals were sacrificed at the end of experimental period and organs were collected and weighed . liver , uteri , and aorta were collected for histopathological examination in 10% neutral buffered formalin . serum lipid profile that is , serum total cholesterol , hdl cholesterol , non - hdl cholesterol , tgs were determined enzymatically using standard kits obtained from span diagnostics pvt . liver total cholesterol and tgs were determined using standard kits obtained from span diagnostics pvt . ltd . , tissue pieces of liver , aorta and uterus were preserved in 10% neutral buffered formalin , later processed and stained by using hematoxylin and eosin and oil red o stains . the data were analyzed using one - way anova followed by tukey 's post - hoc test using statistical package for social sciences ( spss ) , version 17.0 . the average body weight of chickpea group was significantly ( p < 0.05 ) higher than control and statin groups . the uterine weights were significantly ( p < 0.05 ) decreased in ovx and statin groups compared to control and chickpea groups . the spleen weights were significantly ( p < 0.05 ) increased in chickpea group compared to ovx and statin groups . the weights of heart in all ovx groups including treatment groups were significantly ( p < 0.05 ) lower compared to control group [ table 2 ] . effect of germinated chickpea sprouts on body weight and organ weights the mean serum total cholesterol and non - hdl cholesterol was significantly ( p < 0.05 ) increased in the ovx group compared to control group . whereas , both chickpea and statin treatment groups showed significantly ( p < 0.05 ) lower values as compared to ovx group . mean hdl cholesterol was significantly ( p < 0.05 ) higher in chickpea and statin groups than control and ovx groups . the mean tg content was significantly ( p < 0.05 ) higher in statin group compared to all other groups ; whereas , ovx and chickpea had significantly ( p < 0.05 ) lower tg levels [ table 3 ] . effect of germinated chickpea sprouts on serum lipid profile liver total lipids and phospholipids were significantly ( p < 0.05 ) increased in the ovx group compared to control group . the total cholesterol content was significantly ( p < 0.05 ) higher in the ovx group compared to all other groups . the tg levels were significantly ( p < 0.05 ) lower in chickpea group compared to rest of the groups [ table 4 ] . effect of germinated chickpea sprouts on liver lipid profile histopathological observations revealed fatty degeneration in the liver [ figures 1 and 2 ] , uterine atrophy [ figure 3 ] and sub - intimal fat accumulation in the aorta [ figure 4 ] in the ovx group whereas very mild changes were observed in chickpea group . no improvement was observed in statin group . liver section showing vacuolation in hepatic cells due to fatty changes ( h and e , 70 ) liver section showing diffuse fatty infiltration ( oil red o , 70 ) uterine section showing cystic dilatation and atrophy of endometrial glands ( h and e , 70 ) aorta section showing diffuse sub - intimal fatty infiltration ( h and e , 70 ) the average body weight of chickpea group was significantly ( p < 0.05 ) higher than control and statin groups . the uterine weights were significantly ( p < 0.05 ) decreased in ovx and statin groups compared to control and chickpea groups . the spleen weights were significantly ( p < 0.05 ) increased in chickpea group compared to ovx and statin groups . the weights of heart in all ovx groups including treatment groups were significantly ( p < 0.05 ) lower compared to control group [ table 2 ] . the mean serum total cholesterol and non - hdl cholesterol was significantly ( p < 0.05 ) increased in the ovx group compared to control group . whereas , both chickpea and statin treatment groups showed significantly ( p < 0.05 ) lower values as compared to ovx group . mean hdl cholesterol was significantly ( p < 0.05 ) higher in chickpea and statin groups than control and ovx groups . the mean tg content was significantly ( p < 0.05 ) higher in statin group compared to all other groups ; whereas , ovx and chickpea had significantly ( p < 0.05 ) lower tg levels [ table 3 ] . liver total lipids and phospholipids were significantly ( p < 0.05 ) increased in the ovx group compared to control group . the total cholesterol content was significantly ( p < 0.05 ) higher in the ovx group compared to all other groups . the tg levels were significantly ( p < 0.05 ) lower in chickpea group compared to rest of the groups [ table 4 ] . histopathological observations revealed fatty degeneration in the liver [ figures 1 and 2 ] , uterine atrophy [ figure 3 ] and sub - intimal fat accumulation in the aorta [ figure 4 ] in the ovx group whereas very mild changes were observed in chickpea group . liver section showing vacuolation in hepatic cells due to fatty changes ( h and e , 70 ) liver section showing diffuse fatty infiltration ( oil red o , 70 ) uterine section showing cystic dilatation and atrophy of endometrial glands ( h and e , 70 ) aorta section showing diffuse sub - intimal fatty infiltration ( h and e , 70 ) hormone therapy is the first - line treatment of various vasomotor symptoms in postmenopausal women . however , many women are reluctant to use exogenous hormones for treatment due to concurrent side - effects and are preferring botanicals and dietary supplement products for relief . despite limited scientific evidence describing efficacy and long - term safety , natural treatments are more appealing with both premenopausal and postmenopausal women being the highest among the users . phytoestrogens possess either estrogenic or anti - estrogenic activity . despite being moderate in their activity recently , the modulators of estrogen receptors are considered as an important modality for the treatment and prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis . in the present study , ovx rats are a good model for evaluating estrogen activity in female reproductive and nonreproductive pharmacological areas , including bone and cholesterol related parameters . further , the model was reported to be an effective predictor of the changes in low density lipoprotein ( ldl ) cholesterol and is sensitive for monitoring the effects of estrogen on cholesterol . further , ovariectomy has the advantage of mimicking true menopausal condition minimizing the interference of endogenous estrogen . ovariectomy increased body weights of rats , leading to overweight . the increase in body weight is considered as a result of altered energy metabolism caused by estrogen deficiency favoring fat deposition . contrary to the increase in body weights , the uterine weights were found to be decreased . such a decrease in uterine weight is a direct consequence of estrogen deficiency , which is required for the normal functioning and maintenance of the uterus . the deficiency of estrogen is known to increase in cholesterol levels , both in humans and animals . subsequent to induction of hepatic hmg coa reductase , a rate limiting enzyme in the cholesterol synthesis . further , elevated levels of insulin in ovx rats cause accelerated dephosphorylation of hmg co - a reductase increasing its activity . estrogen is known to have a favorable effect on plasma lipoprotein profile , raising hdl levels . in this study , hdl cholesterol was found to be reduced in the ovx group due to estrogen deficiency . the increase in non - hdl is a consequence of decreased estrogen concentration causing ( 1 ) elimination of ldl clearance sites , ( 2 ) diminished ldl receptor activity and concentration ( 3 ) directly affects the interconversion of very low density lipoprotein ( vldl ) to ldl and ( 4 ) direct secretion of ldl by the liver . a significant decrease in the mean tg concentration was also observed in ovx rats . in normal conditions , estrogen increases tg concentration by enhancing hepatic synthesis and inhibition of lipid uptake by adipose and muscle tissue as a result of decreased lipoprotein lipase ( lp ) activity . since ovariectomy increases lp activity , a significant decrease in tg level feeding sprouts of chickpea , to ovx rats reversed the changes of ovariectomy in terms of uterine weights , serum and liver lipid profile . , biochanin a , formononetin , which are found in higher concentration in germinated seeds . phytoestrogens despite being structurally unrelated to estrogen have the ability to bind to estrogen receptors due to the presence of a phenolic ring and produce similar effects like estrogen on target organs . although a beneficial association between dietary phytoestrogens and lipoproteins is not established clearly , possible antihyperlipidemic mechanism of phytoestrogens could be as a result of increased t4 level , increased excretion of bile acids , therefore enhancing the removal of ldl - c and altered hepatic metabolism with augmented ldl and vldl removal by hepatocytes . this study indicated significant antihyperlipidemic activity of germinated seeds of chickpea , which was found to be comparable to atorvastatin . however , due to the presence of phytoestrogens , germinated chickpea was superior in controlling other estrogen deficiency symptoms such as uterine atrophy and fatty changes in liver and aorta . hence , germinated chickpea could be used as a nutraceutical in postmenopausal condition either alone or in combination with standard antihyperlipidemic drugs . however , the clinical usage of germinated chickpea sprouts would require adequate information on the long - term safety evaluation as per scientific guidelines and checking for possible pharmacodynamics and kinetic herbal - drug interactions .
background : phytoestrogens are increasingly becoming popular as alternatives for hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal condition.objective:in this study , the antihyperlipidemic effect of chickpea ( cicer arientum ) sprouts was evaluated in ovariectomy - induced dyslipidemia in rat model in comparison with standard antihyperlipidemic agent atorvastatin.materials and methods : a total of 24 female adult wistar rats were divided into four groups that is , group i - control ; group ii - ovariectomized ( ovx ) rats ; group iii - ovx + germinated chickpea sprouts ( 20% in diet ) and group iv ovx + atorvastatin ( 1.2 mg / kg b.wt , p.o . ) . 
 body and organ weights , serum , and liver lipid profile were assessed at the end of 8 weeks.results:the results indicated that ovariectomy significantly ( p < 0.05 ) increased total cholesterol , nonhigh - density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides ( tgs ) in serum and liver . 
 the total lipid and phospholipid content in liver were also significantly ( p < 0.05 ) increased . 
 the weights of uterus and heart were significantly ( p < 0.05 ) decreased . dietary supplementation with germinated chickpea normalized the lipid profile in serum and liver . further , high - density lipoprotein ( hdl ) cholesterol , body weight , uterine , heart , and spleen weights were significantly ( p < 0.05 ) increased . 
 atorvastatin administration showed similarly normalized lipid profile , but showed no improvement on decreased uterus and heart weights . 
 histopathological examination revealed fatty changes in liver , uterine atrophy , and subintimal fat accumulation in aorta in ovx group . 
 the changes were mild in chickpea group with no improvement in statin group.conclusions:germinated seeds of chickpea showed significant antihyperlipidemic activity , which was comparable to atorvastatin . 
 further , germinated chickpea improved organ weights and helped in the reversal of histopathological changes suggesting its usefulness in postmenopausal condition .