Effect of ethanolic leaves extract of Myrianthus arboreus on lipid profile of Wistar rats

This study investigated the effect of ethanolic leaves extract of Myrianthus arboreus on lipid profile of Wistar rats. A total of 24 albino Wistar rats divided into 8 groups of three rats each, were orally administered with DMSO as control and varying doses of 1500 mg/KgBw, 1000 mg/KgBw and 500 mg/KgBw for 7days and 14 days respectively. After 7 and 14 days groups 1-4 and 5-8 were sacrificed respectively. Blood samples and hearts of rats were collected for biochemical and histopathology investigations respectively. The result showed non-significant differences (p>0.05) in the mean values of total-cholesterol (T-Chol) and Low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-Chol.) in all the extract treated groups for 7 and 14 days when compared to mean control values. Mean values of triglyceride (Tg) and very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDL-Chol) significantly increased (p<0.05) in 1500 and 1000 mg/kgbw extract treated groups for 7days and decreased significantly (p<0.05) in 500 mg/kgbw for 14 days when compared with mean control values. The results also reveal a significant decrease (p<0.05) in the level of high density lipoprotein-cholesterolHDL-Chol) for groups treated 1500 1000 and 500 mg/kgbws for 14 days when compared with control. Phytochemical screening of the plant revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, phenols, saponins and tannins with phenols and tannins having the highest and lowest concentrations of 1185.04 and 16.75 mg/100g respectively. The histopathology results showed normal histology of the heart tissues of animals in groups 1,3-8 while that of group 2 showed inflammation of the heart tissues. In conclusion, oral administration of ethanol leaves extract of Myrianthus arboreus is safe for the heart.