Anti – Atherogenic Activity of Ethanol Extract of Buccholzia coriacea Seeds on Hypercholesterolemic Rats

Aims: To scientific determine the phytochemical constituents of ethanol extract of B. coriacea (EEBC) powdered seeds and its effects on the serum lipid profile, serum atherogenic index, and lipid peroxidation in the serum of hypercholesterolemic rats.

Study Design: Twenty male albino rats were used for the experiment. They were divided into four groups, 5 rats in each. The administration is as follows: GROUP 1 (Normal control): 0.3ml of corn oil only, GROUP 2 (experimental control): 40 mg/kg body weight of cholesterol only, GROUP 3 (standard drug treatment): 40 mg/kg body weight of cholesterol and 260mg/kg body weight of cholestyramine, GROUP 4 (extract treatment): 40 mg/kg body weight of cholesterol and 250mg/kg body weight of EEBC.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry, University of Ibadan, Nigeria for eight weeks.

Methodology: At the end the 6 weeks of administration, the animals were kept fasting overnight. They were then made unconscious by cervical dislocation and dissected. The blood was then collected into clean vials. The Lipid profile, malondialdehdye levels were measured in the serum of the rats in the four groups while the atherogenic index was calculated. The qualitative phytochemical screening of EEBC seeds powder was performed. Data were statistically analyzed by one way ANOVA followed by post hoc Duncan multiple range comparison tests.

Results: EEBC powdered seeds contains tannins, carbohydrates, saponins, flavonoids, saponins, terpenoids and alkaloids. The level of serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL – cholesterol, atherogenic index significantly decreased (P=.05) by 29.5%, 41.5%, 39.2%, 77.4% respectively in the extract – treated group compared with experimental group. Whereas the experimental group showed a significant (P=.05) increase compared with normal control. There was a significant (P=.05) increase of 67.9% in the serum HDL - cholesterol of the extract – treated group compared with the experimental group. Whereas the experimental group showed a significant (P=.05) decrease in comparison with the normal control. A significant (P=.05) decrease of 36% in the amount of serum malondialdehyde was produced in the extract – treated groups compared with the experimental control which showed a significant (P=.05) increase compared with the normal control.

Conclusion: EEBC seed powder has potent anti- atherogenic properties.