Hypolipidemic and Antiatherosclerotic Effect of Leptadenia pyrotechnica Extract in Cholesterol Fed Rabbits

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the hypolipidemic and antiatherosclerotic efficacy of methanolic extract of the aerial part of L. pyrotechnica in cholesterol fed rabbits. Male rabbits were randomly assigned to three groups: Groups I normal control; Group II cholesterol (500 mg / kg b. wt. / day) with coconut oil (5 ml/rabbit / day) and Group III , cholesterol + L. pyrotechnica extract (250 mg / kg b. wt./ day) orally. The whole study lasted for 60 days. Administration of cholesterol caused a significant rise (p<0.001) in the serum levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and total cholesterol, : HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol : HDL-cholesterol ratios. Simultaneous administration of L. pyrotechnica extract significantly (p<0.001) prevented the rise in serum total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and atherogenic index Hepatic and aortic total cholesterol, triglycerides, and lipid peroxidation (TBARs) were also lowered significantly in the extract treated rabbits. The Plant extracts also significantly prevented the atheromatic changes and plaque formation in the aorta and favoured increased fecal cholesterol output. Thus, the results indicate hypolipidemic and antiatherosclerotic effect of methanolic extract of L. pyrotechnica.