Effect of Solanum aethiopicum aqueous extract on acute hyperlipidemia in Triton X-100 induced Wister albino rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Hyperlipidemia is a significant risk factor for coronary heart disease, making the reduction of plasma lipid levels a key strategy for management. While existing studies have explored the properties of Solanum aethiopicum, there is a notable lack of research specifically addressing the dose-response relationship of its aqueous extracts. This study aims to assess the impact of aqueous extract from garden egg leaves (S. aethiopicum) on acute hyperlipidemia in Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) at the 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg body weight. A total of thirty adult Wistar rats weighing between 150 and 250 g, were randomly assigned to six groups of five rats. Group 1 served as the control, receiving only distilled water and a pellet diet. Group 2 was induced with hyperlipidemia but left untreated. Group 3 received simvastatin at a dosage of 10 mg/kg following hyperlipidemic induction with Triton X-100 for three days. Groups 4, 5, and 6 were induced but treated with S. aethiopicum extract at 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg body weight, respectively. Blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis after three days of treatment. The induced untreated group showed a significant decrease (p≤0.05) in total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels with the administration of S. aethiopicum extract at 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg. Additionally, triglyceride and very low-density lipoprotein levels significantly decreased (p<0.05) at 200 and 400 mg/kg doses. High-density lipoprotein levels increased at all doses of S. aethiopicum, but were not statistically significant (p≥0.05). The findings suggest that S. aethiopicum possesses desirable antihyperlipidemic properties at 200 and 400 mg/kg doses, and could serve as a viable solution for managing hyperlipidemia.