Effect of Ethanolic Extract of Gnetum africanum on Lipids and Lipoprotein Profiles in Rats

Abstract

–Gnetum africanum is native to West and Central Africa. The Phenotypic diversity within the Gnetacea is significant in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria where the leaf is consumed as vegetable. The ethanolic extract of the leaf was Soxhlet extracted. Three graded doses were estimated by acute toxicity tests. 20 female rats weighing between 120-150 grams were divided into 4 groups. Group 1-3 received (10, 200, and 700 mg/kg/d) of extract, group 4 received Normal Saline as control, respectively, for 7 days. Rats of all groups were sacrificed on the 8 th day after treatment, and blood collected, allowed to clot for centrifugal separation into cells and serum. Separated Sera were used for Lipid profiles estimation. Results showed that, ingestion of G. africanum extract caused increase in the serum levels of High Density, Low Density Lipoproteins, Cholesterol and triglycerides, as well as decreased bilirubin level. Increase in serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDLcholesterol were positively correlated with incidence of coronary heart disease (artherosclerosis). Increase in the serum level of high density lipoprotein could impact a corrective effect on the precipitated artherosclerosis. On the other hand, reduction in serum bilirubin suggests non-hepatoxic effect of the plant. Keywords––Albino rat, Gnetum africanum, Lipids and Lipoproteins profiles.