Hypolipidemic effect of <i>Clerodendrum violaceum</i> methanol leaf extract in mice

Abstract

Effects of methanol leaf extract of Clerodendrum violaceum on selected indices of cardiovascular disease in mice were evaluated. Six groups of ten mice each were used. Groups B-F received orally 31.25, 62.5, 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight of methanol leaf extract of Clerodendrum violaceum respectively while group A received 5% DMSO (control). Half of the animals in each group were sacrificed after 14 days of administration while the remaining half were sacrificed after 28 days of administration. Selected indices of cardiovascular disease were then determined. At the end of 14 days, serum concentrations of total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-c, with the atherogenic index were all significantly decreased (p<0.05) at higher doses compared to control; however, serum HDL-c concentration was significantly increased (p<0.05). A similar pattern was observed for these parameters after 28 days of administration. There was significant decrease (p<0.05) in AST activity at the highest dose of the extract in heart and serum and significant increase (p<0.05) in serum AST at other doses on days 14 and 28. Creatine kinase activity was significantly increased (p<0.05) at all doses of the extract in heart and serum on day 14 compared to control but was reversed back to the range of control on day 28. The extract at all doses did not cause any significant change (p>0.05) in serum lipoprotein (a) concentration on days 14 and 28 compared to controls. The results suggest that methanol leaf extract of Clerodendrum violaceum may not predispose subjects to cardiovascular diseases.