Abstract

High lipids and carbohydrate have been seriously implicated to cardiovascular problems, which has led to several uses of medicinal plants for traditional remedies. The present study investigated the lipid lowering activity of fresh leaf extract of Chromolaena odorata in Albino wistar rats. Twenty (20) rats used for the study were grouped into four groups of five (5) rats each. Group I served as normal control, group II, III and IV served as test groups, fed 75, 108 and 148 g of cholesterol enriched diet for one week and thereafter, administered with 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg body weight of fresh leaf extract of Chromolaena odorata respectively for four (4) days. Lipid profile and blood glucose were assayed at fed state and after administration. Results showed a significant (p<0.05) increase in total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, low density lipoprotein, blood glucose concentration and body weight compared with control group in fed state. Administration with fresh leaf extract of Chromolaena odorata showed a significant (p<0.05) increase in high density lipoprotein, significant (p<0.05) decrease in blood glucose concentration, low density lipoproteins, triacylglycerol, total cholesterol and body weight of rats. The oral treatment with 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg body weight of the fresh leaf extract of this study demonstrated a general hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity not necessary a dose dependent pattern. It may therefore be concluded that the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity of Chromolaena odorata taken freshly squeezed could be due to its phytochemical and antioxidants content. Keywords: Blood glucose concentration, cholesterol, Chromolaena odorata, hyperlipidemia, hypoglycemic, weight loss

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