Determination of Antioxidant Activity of Methanolic Leaf Extract of Emilia sonchifolia and its Effect on the Lipid Profile of Wistar Rats

Aim: This study investigated the methanolic extract of Emilia sonchifolia leaves to provide a scientific basis for its ethnobotanical applications and to evaluate its impact on lipid profile parameters in Wistar rats. Method: Pulverized leaves were macerated in 99.8% methanol for 72 hours, filtered, and concentrated via rotary evaporation at 40°C. The crude extract was partitioned exhaustively using a 1:3 extract-to-solvent ratio with hexane, dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate, and n-butanol. Antioxidant capacity was assessed using Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) and DPPH assays, alongside spectrophotometric quantification of total phenolic and flavonoid content. For the in vivo study, 24 Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n=6). Group 1 (control) received normal saline, while Groups 2–4 received incremental daily oral doses (500, 1000, and 1500 mg/kg) of the extract for 14 days. On day 15, serum was collected via cardiac puncture. Total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were measured calorimetrically, while LDL and VLDL were calculated using the Friedewald formula. Results: Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, saponins, alkaloids, and cardiac glycosides. The extraction process yielded 82.02g of crude extract (17.45% w/w). The Ethyl acetate and DCM fractions exhibited the highest antioxidant activities, with results comparable to standard Ascorbic Acid. Lipid profile analysis indicated no significant differences (p > 0.05) in TC, TG, HDL, or VLDL levels. However, a highly significant increase in Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) was observed (p < 0.01) across all treated groups compared to the control. Conclusion: While the potent antioxidant capacity of Emilia sonchifolia validates its traditional use in managing oxidative-related ailments, the significant elevation of LDL levels (p < 0.01) highlights a critical metabolic safety concern. These findings suggest that the plant may adversely modulate lipid homeostasis, which could potentially increase cardiovascular risk. Therefore, despite its therapeutic benefits, caution is recommended in its medicinal and dietary consumption.