Hypocholesterolemic effect of aqueous extract of the rhizomes of Sansevieria liberica on salt-loaded rats

Abstract

In this study, the ability of an aqueous extract of the rhizomes of Sansevieria liberica to moderate plasma lipid profile and atherogenic indices was investigated in normal and sub-chronic salt-loaded rats. The normal and treatment control groups received a diet consisting 100% of the commercial feed, while the test control, reference and test treatment groups received an 8% salt-loaded diet. The extract was orally administered daily at 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight; while the moduretics was administered at 1 mg/kg body weight. The test control, reference and control groups received appropriate volumes of water by the same route. Compared to test control, the extract dose dependently significantly lowered (P<0.05) the plasma triglyceride, total-, very low density lipoprotein (VLDL)-, low density lipoprotein (LDL)- and non-high density lipoprotein (non-HDL) cholesterol levels, cardiac risk ratio, atherogenic coefficient and atherogenic index of plasma, while significantly (P<0.05) increasing the plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentration of the test animals. The present result highlighted the cardio-protective potential of the plant, and suggests its use in the management of dyslipidemia whether primary or secondary to obesity, diabetes mellitus and hypertension, and by extension, the reduction of the risk of cardiovascular diseases.