Ethanol Extract of Lemongrass Leaves (Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle) as an Inhibitor to Enhancement of Cholesterol Levels in Wistar Rats

Abstract

Cholesterol is a type of lipid found in the body that aids in the digestion of food and is required for the formation of hormones. Even yet, increased levels in the blood can raise the risk of coronary heart attacks. Medicinal plants, in addition to pharmacological therapy, can be used to prevent levels from rising. Lemongrass (Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle) is one of these herbs. The goal of this study was to see if an ethanol extract of lemongrass leaves could lower cholesterol levels in wistar rats. Maceration was used to extract the ethanol from lemongrass leaves. In pharmacological testing, 25 rats were separated into five groups: the control group, the comparison group for simvastatin 0.9 mg/kg bw, the test group at 13 mg/kg bw, 26 mg/kg bw, and 52 mg/kg bw, and the test group at 13 mg/kg bw, 26 mg/kg bw, and 52 mg/kg bw. Cholesterol 1g/kg bw and PTU 100 mg/kg bw were employed as inductors and were supplied for 14 days with the test preparation. The levels of cholesterol in the blood were tested. The results demonstrated that the ethanolic extract of lemongrass leaves could considerably reduce cholesterol levels (p<0.005) when compared to the control group. The ethanol extract dose of 52 mg/kg bw had the greatest inhibitory effect on cholesterol levels, implying that the ethanol extract of lemongrass leaves had anticholesterol potential.