Effect of three branded poly-herbal mixtures on the lipid profile of Wistar rats

Abstract

Poly-herbal mixtures comprises of dissimilar constituent of plants and unpurified extracts with medicinal properties for the treatment of various ailments and for sustaining good health This research investigated the effect of three branded poly-herbal mixtures on the lipid profile of Wistar rats. Seventy-six rats were used for the study, 36 for LD50 determination, and 40 for the administration of the mixtures. Animals were divided into four groups with ten rats per group: Group A (control) and three experimental groups treated with the mixtures at different doses per group (both low doses of the mixtures at 500 mg/kg and high doses of 1500 mg/kg per body weight for 40 days. Group B was treated with sample A, Group C and D with samples B and C respectively. Results showed a significant difference (p<0.05) in Total cholesterol which ranged from 1.66±0.44 mmol/L to 2.57±0.03mmol/L, with elevated cholesterol concentrations. The result showed low level of Triglyceride. High-density Lipoprotein (HDL) ranged from 0.53±0.04 mmol/L and 0.53±0.15 mmol/L to 0.78±0.11 mmol/L when compared with the control value of 0.61±0.01 mmol/L. This suggests higher levels of HDL cholesterol. The value of LDL cholesterol ranged from 0.64±0.43 mmol/L(control) to 1.82±0.08 mmol/L (group BH), all groups had elevated LDL values when compared with the control. These findings revealed that poly-herbal mixtures significantly affect lipid profile parameters by either increasing or reducing them. Total cholesterol and Low-density lipoprotein had elevated levels, which may affect cardiovascular health.