Anti-hyperlipidemic effect of aqueous leaf extract of Emilia praetermissa milne-redh (Asteraceae) in rats

Abstract

This study aims at evaluating the effect of administration of the aqueous leaf extract of Emilia praetermissa on total cholesterol (TC) level, triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and atherogenetic index of plasma (AIP) in albino rats and to determine its preliminary phytochemical constituents. The phytochemical tests were carried out using standard methods. The control group received distilled water (2ml/kg, orally) only, olive oil (hyperlipidemic) treated group received distilled water and olive oil (5ml/kg, orally) while the other three groups were pre-treated with 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight of aqueous leaf extract of Emilia praetermissa, 100mg of the extract plus 15mg/kg atorvastatin and 100mg/kg plus 30mg/kg atorvastatin respectively. Olive oil (5ml/kg) was administered to each of the groups after 30 mins of treatment. After 2 hours following olive oil administration, blood samples were collected through abdominal aortae under chloroform anaesthesia for analysis of plasma TC, TG, HDL, LDL, AIP. Phytochemical screening of the aqueous leaf extract of Emilia praetermissa showed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, steroids, cardiac glycosides, carbohydrate, reducing sugar and terpenoids and absence of alkaloids and saponins. The result showed significant decreases in plasma TC, TG, LDL, and AIP levels of the rats and increase in HDL when compared with the hyperlipidemic group. Co-administration of the extract and atorvastatin significantly increased HDL and decreased LDL and AIP. It is then concluded that oral administration of aqueous leaf extract of Emilia praetermissa reduces hyperlipidemia and could serve as a good alternative in its treatment.