Synergistic Effect of Ethanolic Extract of Phyllantus Muellerianus and Eremomastax Speciosa Leaves on Lipid Profile of Wistar Rat

C.V Muoneke,P.R Bayim

doi:10.4314/jasem.v25i11.1

Abstract

The study investigated the synergistic effect of ethanolic extract of Eremomastax speciosa and Phyllantus muellerianusleaves on the lipid profile of Wistar rats. The Wistar rats were assigned into two groups of 10 animals each; the control was given normal rat pellet and water, while the experimental group was given the mixture of the ethanolic plant extracts at 200mg/kg body weight, by orogastric intubations once daily. The animals were fed for 3weeks (21 days) during which anthropometric measurement and data were collected. Twelve hours after the feeding and administration of both plants extract, the animals were anesthetized under chloroform vapor and then dissected. Blood samples were collected from the heart by cardiac puncture into plain tubes and taken to the laboratory for analysis. The phytochemical result indicates that the extract contains a high amount of flavoniods and alkaloids; a moderate amount of saponins, tannins, and polyphenols with a mild amount of glycosides. The result of the study shows a mean significant decrease in the TC level and LDL-C level; an abnormal increase in the levels of TG, VLDL-C, and an abnormal decrease in HDL-C between the experimental and control group at a probability level of p<0.05. The phytochemical result indicates that the plant can be used to manage many health conditions like Stomach troubles, headaches, jaundice, and anemia (Obenet al., 2006). While the overall result of the study reveals that the administration of both extracts has both hypolipidemic effects and hyperlipidemic effects on the lipid profile levels correlate with cardiovascular disease.

Highlights

Plants are the richest resource of drugs of traditional systems of modern medicines, nutraceuticals, food supplements, folk medicines, pharmaceutical intermediates, and chemical entities for synthetic drugs. Evans (2002) and Okpuzor et al, (2008) opined that the practice of traditional medicine using medicinal plants is as old as the origin of man
In Ivory Coast, the leaves are eaten by men to boost male fertility while In Congo, a leaf decoction is taken for anemia
The present study has been designed to evaluate the effects of P. muellerianus and E. speciosa on the lipid profile of Wistar rat

Summary

Introduction

Plants are the richest resource of drugs of traditional systems of modern medicines, nutraceuticals, food supplements, folk medicines, pharmaceutical intermediates, and chemical entities for synthetic drugs. Evans (2002) and Okpuzor et al, (2008) opined that the practice of traditional medicine using medicinal plants is as old as the origin of man. Since most plants have medicinal properties, it is of utmost importance that their efficacy and toxicity risks are evaluated. This is the case of Eremomastax speciosa, widely distributed in tropical Africa (Dibong et al, 2011). In Nigeria, the young roots with their leafy twigs are given for jaundice and as a mild purgative and to treat urethral discharges. Its powdered roots and bark-decoction are used as a snuff to treat throat pains with glandular fever. The antibacterial activities of the plant have been demonstrated in the leaf and stem bark against some bacteria. The present study has been designed to evaluate the effects of P. muellerianus and E. speciosa on the lipid profile of Wistar rat. The objective of this study is to (a) estimate the serum concentration of total cholesterol in the animals (b) estimate the serum Triglyceride concentration in the animals (c) compare the serum LDL concentration in the animals (d) evaluate the serum HDL concentration in the animals and (e) evaluate the serum VLDL between the groups

Objectives

Methods

Results