Effect of Ethanol Leaf Extract of Aspilia africana on Lipid Profile of Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

Man has been widely depending on medicinal plants for health care right from the beginning of age. This study investigated the effect of ethanol leaf extract of Aspilia africana (hemorrhage plant) on lipid profile of male Wistar rats. A total of 48 male Wistar rats were used in this study, these were shared into 4 groups of 12 each. Group 1 was placed as the control, group 2 were given 500mg/kgBW of the extract, group 3 were given l000mg/kgBW of the extract and group 4 were given 2000mg/kgBW of the extract. The administration of the extract was done in batches (14 and 28days). Following the administration for the 14 days, batch 1 (which was gotten by selecting 6 rats randomly from each group) were sacrificed and the administration were continued with the remaining rats at the same doses for 28 days. Statistical analysis of the lipid profile showed that serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration in the treatment group administered 2000mg/kgBW of the extract increased significantly compared to the control group (group 1) at p<0.05 in 14 days. Extended period of administration to 28 days showed a significant reduction in the groups administered 500mg/kg body weight and 2000 mg/kgBW. There was a significant increase in TC in group administered 2000 mg/kgBW for 14 days. However, extended period of administration (28 days) showed no significant effect in all the treatment groups compared to the control group. There was reduction in TG concentration in groups administered 500 mg/kgBW and 2000 mg/kgBW for 14 days compared to the control group and group 3. No effect was recorded with extended period of 28 days administration. The groups administered 500 mg and 2000 mg/kgBW of the extract showed significant decrease in the VLDL concentration compared to the control and group 3 in the 14 days administration. There was no effect in the extended period of 28days administration. In the 14 days administration, there was no effect in all the group compared to the control in the LDL concentration. However, there were significant decrease in the groups administered 500mg/kgBW and 2000mg/kgBW compared to the control and group 3. Conclusively, data from this study demonstrates that the leaf extract of Aspilia. africana, is safe and non-toxic and may be effective in the management of cardiovascular diseases