Preventive and Curative Effect of African Peach (Nauclea Latifolia)Root Extractson Poloxamer 407 Induced Hypercholesterolemicrats

Abstract

The preventive and curative effects of African peach (Nauclea latifolia) root extracts (crude, ethyl acetate and n-butanol) on lipid profile, liver, kidney biochemical parameters and antioxidant effect were investigated in Poloxamer 407 induced hypercholesterolemic albino wistar rats.

In the preventive study, the total cholesterol and triacylglycerol level in rats was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in all treatment groups when compared with the P407 induced group,with the ethylacetate extract 500 mg/kg having highest activity.

The HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels in P407 induced group showed significant (p < 0.05) increase compared to the control group.

There was also significant (p < 0.05) difference between the P407 induced group and the aqueous and ethyl acetate extract treated groups at 100 mg/kg and at 500 mg/kg.

In the curative study, the total cholesterol and triacylglycerol level showed that ethyl acetate extract at 500 mg/kg was found to have the highest activity when compared to P407 induced group.

The butanol extractsat 100mg/kg and 500mg/kg showed no significant (p > 0.05) difference when compared to P407 induced group.

In the case of HDL-cholesterol and LDL cholesterollevel, there was significant increase (p < 0.05) in the P407 induced group when compared to the control group.

Introduction

1.1 Background of Study

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) including coronary heart disease and stroke are the leading cause of death for both men and women among all racial and ethnic groups (Smith, 2004).

It accounts for nearly 50% of all deaths in the developed world (Thomas and Rich, 2007).

If the current trend continues, the future will be even bleaker considering the fact that globalization and wide spread of Western diet to the developing world have been encountered with explosive increase in the rates of obesity and hypercholesterolemia in developing regions.

Therefore, hypercholesterolemia and its associated cardiovascular diseases represent one of the greatest worldwide economic, social and medical challenges (Olshanky et al., 2005).

The elevation of serum total cholesterol and more importantly low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol have been implicated as primary risk factor for cardiovascular disease (Edijala et al., 2005).

Hypercholesterolemia is the presence of high levels of cholesterol in the blood (Ghatak and Asantha, 1995). It is not a disease but a metabolic derangement that can lead to diseases, notably cardiovascular disease.

It is closely related to the terms “hyperlipidemia” (elevated levels of lipoproteins in the blood) (Ghatak and Asthana, 1995).

References

Adewunmi, C.O. and Ojewole, J.A.O. (2004). Safety of traditional medicines, complementary and alternative medicines in Africa. African Journal of Traditional Complementary and Alternative Medicine,1: 1-3.

Adeyemi, O.O., Okpo, S.O. and Ogunti, O.O. (2002). Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of the aqueous extract of leaves of Persea Americana Mill (Lauraceae) Fitoterapia; 73:375-380.

Ahmad, M., Saeed, M.A., Alam, H. and Asghar, Z. (1992). Biological studies of indigenous medicinal plants II. Effects of Aplotaxis lappa Dcne on various parameters of liver metabolism in rabbits.Journal of Islam Academic Science, 5: 61-66.

Ahmadu, A.A., Akpulu, I.N., Hassan, H.S., Sule, M.J., Pateh, U.U. (2006). Preliminary phytochemical screening and antibacterial activity of Cirsampelos mucronata A. Rich. (Menispermacea) extracts. Journal ofPharmacy and Biological science, 3 (2): 103-106.

Akubue, P.I. and Mittal G.C. (1982) Clinical evaluation of a traditional herbal practice in Nigeria: a preliminary report. Journal of Ethnopharmacology,6(4) 355–359.

Amos, S.J., Abbah, B., Chindo, I., Edmond and Binda. L. (2005). Neuropharmacological effects of the aqueous extract of Nauclea latifolia root bark in rats and mice. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 97: 53-57.