Hypolipidaemic Effects and Body Weight Changes of Male Wistar Rats Administered Crude Saponin Extracts from <i>Vernonia amygdalina</i> and <i>Vernonia colorata</i> Leaves

Abstract

The effect of oral administration of crude saponins extracted from leaves of Vernonia amygdalin (V.a) and Vernonia colorata (V.c) on  serum lipid profile and body weight changes in male Wistar rats was studied. Twenty five male albino rats aged 8-10 weeks old were used  in the study. The animals were placed in five groups of five animals each. After four weeks of feeding, serum lipid profile was  analyzed and daily body weight changes was recorded. Vernonia amygdalina and Vernonia colorata extracts significantly (p< 0.05)  decreased serum cholesterol levels. Triacylglycerol concentration decreased significantly extract treated animals in a concentration  dependent manner  LDL-cholesterol reduced significantly relative to control  whereas the HDLcholesterol concentration decreased   significantly in the animals that was administered 100mg/kg  body weight (high dose) of the extract. Body weight was significantly  reduced in all extract treated animals. These results suggest that the crude saponin extracts may contain bioactive agents that can  reduce blood lipid fractions with high atherogenic indices.