Submitted : 21-03-2024 Revised : 14-07-2024 Accepted : 03-10-2024 Majalah Obat Tradisional (Trad.
Med.
January-April 2025 Vol.
, p 61-66 ISSN-p : 1410-5918 ISSN-e : 2406-9086 Anti-hyperlipidemic and Biochemical Effect of Aqueous Extract of Combretum dolichopetalum in High Cholesterol Diet Fed Rats Chinedum Uche Emelike1*.
Chiemeziem Adanma Obike2.
Ofovwe Obruche Ekakitie3.
Eze Frank Ahuekwe4 1 Department of Physiology.
Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences.
College of Medical Sciences.
Alex Ekwueme Federal University.
Ndufu-Alike (AE-FUNAI).
Abakaliki.
Ebonyi State.
Nigeria 2 Department of Biochemistry.
College of Natural Sciences.
Michael Okpara University of Agriculture.
Umudike.
Abia State.
Nigeria 3 Department of Physiology.
Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences.
Federal University.
Otuoke.
Bayelsa State.
Nigeria 4 Department of Biological Sciences.
College of Science and Technology.
Covenant University.
Ota.
Ogun State.
Nigeria
ABSTRACT
It is commonly known that atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease (CAD) are associated with hyperlipidemia, which is brought on by abnormalities in the transportation, production, or catabolism of Hence, preventing hyperlipidemia can positively impact managing and treating cardiovascular This present study aimed to examine the possible aqueous extract's effects of Combretum dolichopetalum (AECD) on liver indices and lipid status in rats on a diet rich in cholesterol.
Five groups of twenty-five male albino Wistar rats, weighing between 130 and 160 grams, were assembled.
Group A (Standard control grou.
Group B (Hyperlipidemic contro.
Group C .
: which received high cholesterol diet (HCD) AECD .
mg/kg bwt.
Group D: HCD AECD .
mg/kg bw.
Group E: HCD atorvastatin .
tandard dru.
mg/kg bw.
The rats were sacrificed on day 28th of the experiment, and samples were obtained for liver indices and lipid profile using standard protocols.
The findings show that the treatment groups' lipid profile was significantly lower .
< 0.
than those of the hyperlipidemic The liver enzymes.
alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and total bilirubin (TB), direct bilirubin (DB), remain unchanged across all groups.
These findings suggest that AECD is beneficial in lowering cholesterol levels and does not have a toxic effect on the liver.
Keywords: Combretum dolichopetalum.
liver enzymes.
lipid profile INTRODUCTION Hyperlipidemia is abnormally high blood levels of lipids, a main cause of cardiovascular disease risk (Amit et al.
, 2011.
Dhaliya et al.
, 2013.
Mainieri et al.
, 2.
According to Dhaliya et al.
, there is a specific elevation of lipid profile in plasma in this situation.
Studies have shown that consuming a lot of saturated fat acids (SFA.
in your diet and eggs .
hich contain high levels of cholesterol and saturated fa.
raises blood cholesterol levels more than other dietary factors (Baumgartner et al.
, 2013.
Jacobson et al.
, 2.
Additionally, this may raise the chance of developing diabetes and other cardiometabolic illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) (Weggemans et al.
, 2001.
Spence et al.
, 2012.
Li et , 2.
Lowering the risk of ischemic heart disease, the development of other cardiovascular *Corresponding author : Chinedum Uche Emelike Email: chinedum.
emelike@funai.
or cerebrovascular illnesses is the main goal of managing or treating hyperlipidemia (Davey et al.
However, using synthetic medications can have a number of negative consequences, including flushing, dry skin, hyperuricemia, diarrhea, nausea, myositis, and altered liver function (Davey et al.
Plants have long been utilized as a rich source of secure and efficient medications, and herbal remedies have long been the major source of primary healthcare worldwide (Amaechi, 2.
The effectiveness, safety, affordability, and acceptability of herbal medicines have been wellreported (Muramatsu et al.
, 1986.
Balkrishna et al.
Some herbs are known to reduce high blood cholesterol levels with no side effects and at a lower cost.
Combretum dolichopetalum (CD) is a climber that is dicotyledonous and typically found in savannah areas (Hutchinson and Dalziel, 1.
Scientific literature has extensively documented Majalah Obat Tradisional, 30.
, 2025 | DOI: 10.
22146/mot.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.
0 International License.
Chinedum Uche Emelike the plant's medical applications: Antitrypanosomal and antiplasmodial activity (Atindehou et al.
, 2004.
Muthu et al.
, 2006.
Nnadi et al.
, 2.
antiinflammatory activity (Gansane et al.
, 2.
treatment of anaemia (Emelike et al.
, 2.
and management of diabetics (Emelike et al.
, 2.
The CD leaf contains flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, and macronutrients (Uzor et al.
, 2015.
Emelike et , 2.
We have previously utilized gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to examine the plant's chemical constituents (Emelike et al.
, 2.
The plant is traditionally used for medicinal purposes to alleviate or cure gastrointestinal diseases, and blood in the stool (Asuzu and Njoku, 1992.
de Morais Lima et al.
Emelike et al.
, 2022.
Emelike et al.
, 2.
this investigation, we assessed the antihyperlipidemic impact of aqueous extract Combretum dolichopetalum (AECD) on the liver and lipid profile of rats fed a diet high in fat.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Materials Plant materials In 2017.
dolichopetalum leaves that had just reached maturity were collected from the plant's native environment in Nsukka.
Enugu State.
Nigeria.
The taxonomist that recognized the plant samples was C.
Onyeukwu, from the University of Nigeria.
Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology.
The sample voucher of the plant.
UNH No.
49a, was kept for later use in the Preparation of extract Following a thorough cleaning and seven days of air drying at room temperature, an electric blender .
odel ms-233.
Chin.
was used to grind the leaves into a coarse powder.
Using a 30 to 70 aqueous solution ratio of water and ethanol as the solvent, two .
kilograms of the powdered material were added to the extraction chamber of the soxhlet extractor in accordance with Jensen's .
The extraction temperature was kept constant at 100AC for a total of 48 hours.
Once the 48 hours were up, the extract that was collected in water was dried in a lab oven at a low temperature of 40AC.
This resulted in a pasty, darkgreen extract with a distinct aromatic fragrance.
The extract was then weighed and stored safely in a refrigerator for future use.
Methods Animal experiments A total of twenty-five .
healthy male Wistar albino rats weighed between 130 and 160g were taken from the Department of Physiology's animal house at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike (AE-FUNAI).
Ebonyi State.
Two weeks prior to the start of the trial, the rats were given the opportunity to get used to their water and their feed (Vital feedA.
Nigeri.
Rodents were kept in conventional conditions, having a 12-hour day/night cycle and 25 A 2AC as its temperature.
The Department of Physiology's Research Ethics Committee at AEFUNAI accepted the protocol for this study, which has protocol number PHS/EC/02/02/2017.
The NIH standards for the use of experimental animals and established institutional protocols were followed in the conduct of the animal study.
Induction of hyperlipidemia In order to induce hypercholesterolemia, rats were fed a diet containing 1% cholesterol, cholic acid .
2%), methyl thiouracil .
2%),
sodium chloride .
%), lard .
%), egg yolk .
%).
Others include wheat bran .
6%), corn starch .
%), and wheat flour .
%) for a period of six This protocol was outlined by Pengzhan et .
Animal grouping The study involved five groups of rats, each with a different treatment: Group A: Standard control rats received distilled water.
Group B:
Hyperlipidemic control rats received distilled Group C: Hyperlipidemic rats received 200 mg/kg bwt of AECD.
Group D: Hyperlipidemic rats received 400 mg/kg bwt of AECD.
Group E:
Hyperlipidemic rats treated with atorvastatin .
standard dru.
mg/kg bw.
The doses of the extracts used in the study were chosen based on acute toxicity testing conducted by Emelike et al.
Even at a high dosage of 5000 mg/kg body weight, the tests revealed that the extract was not harmful.
Using an oropharyngeal cannula, the extract was given orally to the rats once daily for 28 days, during which their body weights were monitored The rats were starved overnight and given access to solely drinking water following the extract delivery time.
A 2% sodium pentobarbital intraperitoneally .
mg/k.
was then administered to put them under anesthesia.
For the investigation of the lipid profile and liver function activities, approximately 4 milliliters of venous blood were drawn using the orbital method and placed into plain tubes.
Lipid profile Using Biosystems kits and fully automated A25 Biosystem equipment, the lipid profile Majalah Obat Tradisional, 30.
, 2025 Anti-hyperlipidemic and Biochemical Effect of Aqueous Extract Table I.
Effect of AECD on rats' body weights Groups Initial Weight .
Final Weight .
Group A Group B Group C Group D Group E 1 A 2.
2 A 3.
9 A 3.
7 A 2.
9 A 3.
1 A3.
0 A 2.
0 A 3.
0 A 2.
0 A 16.
Weight Difference.
2 A 3.
4 A 3.
1 A 3.
7 A 2.
1 A 3.
% Change in Body Weight 9 A 3.
9 A 3.
8 A 3.
4 A 2.
8 A 3.
Values represent mean A SEM.
Significance indicated as a = p<0.
05 vs standard control (Group A) and b = p<0.
05 vs hyperlipidaemic control (Group B).
Table II.
Effect of AECD on lipid profile Groups Group A Group B Group C Group D Group E TC .
77 A 0.
02 A 0.
67 A 0.
35 A 0.
10 A 0.
TG .
31 A 0.
71 A 0.
97 A 0.
74 A 0.
42 A 0.
HDL-C .
14 A 0.
03 A 0.
13 A 0.
14 A 0.
19 A 0.
LDL-C .
63 A 0.
98 A 0.
56 A 0.
19 A 0.
91A 0.
Values represent mean A SEM.
Significance indicated as a = p<0.
05 vs standard control (Group A) and b = p<0.
05 vs hyperlipidaemic control (Group B).
Table i.
Effect of AECD on liver profile Groups Group A Group B Group C Group D Group E TB .
g/dL) 90 A 1.
01 A 1.
30 A 0.
87 A 0.
92 A 1.
CB .
g/dL) 89 A 1.
68 A 0.
83 A 0.
26 A 0.
18 A 0.
AST (U/L)
0 A 0.
2 A 2.
1 A 2.
3 A 2.
7 A 2.
ALT (U/L)
0 A 7.
1 A 2.
6 A 3.
0 A 9.
6 A 8.
ALP (U/L)
6 A 4.
0 A 2.
2 A 7.
1 A 9.
0 A 4.
Values represent mean A SEM.
Significance indicated as a = p<0.
05 vs standard control (Group A) and b = p<0.
05 vs hyperlipidaemic control (Group B).
riglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)] in rats were determined.
The low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was estimated using the formula below:
LDL .
g/d.
TC Oe 5 Oe HDL (Friedwald, 1.
Liver function assays Rats' serum activity for ALT.
AST.
ALP.
TB and DB were assessed using fully automated A25 Biosystem devices.
Statistical analysis The GraphPad Prism software was used to analyze the data that was collected.
The data were compared using one-way ANOVA subsequent to the Turkey post hoc test.
Our definition of significant was a value of p<0.
Mean A standard error of the mean (SEM) was used to present the RESULTS Table I shows the effect of repeated administration of AECD on body weight .
eginning Majalah Obat Tradisional, 30.
, 2025 weight, ending weight, difference in weight, and percentage change in body weigh.
The hyperlipidemic group experienced a statistically significant rise in body weight in comparison to the control group.
However, there was a decrease in the body weight of animals treated with AECD.
Table II demonstrates that the hyperlipidemic group .
02 A 0.
had a significantly higher total cholesterol level .
<0.
than the standard group .
77 A 0.
Comparing the total cholesterol levels of groups C .
67 A 0.
and D .
35 A 0.
to the hyperlipidemic group .
02 A 0.
, there was a substantial .
<0.
drop in total From Table II, there appeared to be a decrease in the concentration of TG in the treated groups C .
97 A 0.
and D .
74 A 0.
when compared with the hyperlipidemic group .
, although not significant.
In this study, there was no significant change in the liver indices in all the groups in Table i.
DISCUSSION
This decrease in the body weight of animals treated with AECD may be due to the plant's saponin content, which has been previously Chinedum Uche Emelike investigated (Emelike et al.
, 2.
Research has shown that saponins reduce appetite (Kim et , 2.
This result of hyperlipidemic activity is consistent with a study by Dhulasavant et al.
, which found that giving high-cholesterol meals enhanced with eggs and coconut oil to animals led to a considerable increase in the animals' serum cholesterol levels.
This result demonstrates the leaf extract's ability to reduce the rats' total cholesterol levels.
The antihyperlipidemic effects of AECD could be because of the existence of some phytochemical constituents in the leave extract, such as flavonoids, tannins and saponins activity (Olagunju et al.
, 1995.
Emelike et , 2.
According to Nagao et al.
, there is a cardioprotective benefit associated with higher HDL-C levels.
Treatment with AECD, as shown in Table II, did not potentiate any significant change in HDL-C.
However, the levels of LDL-C showed a significant decrease in the test groups C and D when compared with the hyperlipidemic group.
Research has reported that flavonoids have increased HDL-C concentration and decreased LDL-C and VLDL levels in hypercholesteraemic rats (Sun et al.
, 2.
Flavonoids found in AECD (Emelike et al.
, 2.
could be considered responsible for increasing HDL-C and decreasing LDL-C in this study.
This study of the liver indices is consistent with the findings of Emelike et al.
, 2020, that administering AECD had no effect on blood levels of AST.
ALT, and ALP or AST and ALP.
This finding implies that neither our high-fat diet nor AECD has any toxic effect on the liver biomarkers.
CONCLUSION
In summary, research has demonstrated that AECD is safe for the liver and effective in lowering cholesterol levels.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Department of Physiology at the Alex Ekueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike.
Ebonyi State.
Nigeria, has our sincere gratitude.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
No conflict of interest.
REFERENCES