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Pharmacological evaluation of Vernonia elaeagnifolia (Asteraceae) leaves in hyperlipidemic albino rabbits


Aisha Sultana
Tanweer Khaliq
Attiq Ur Rehman
Wafa Majeed
Muhammad Naeem Faisal
Bilal Aslam
Asra Iftikhar
Fatima Sultana
Haseeb Anwar

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the antihyperlipidemic efficacy and phytochemical constituents of Vernonia elaeagnifolia aqueous leaf extract.

Method: Qualitative phytochemical analysis of V. elaeagnifolia leaves was performed. Thirty healthy albino rabbits were divided into six groups (n = 6). Cholesterol powder (0.5 g/kg) in 10 mL coconut oil (vehicle) was given orally to induce hyperlipidemia. The aqueous leaf extract of Vernonia elaeagnifolia was administered at 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg per oral. Lipid profile, hepatic enzymes and oxidative stress markers were evaluated.

Results: Phytochemical screening indicated the presence of tannins, proteins, flavonoids, phenols, alkaloids and saponins. Oral administration of cholesterol powder significantly (p < 0.05) raised the level of serum total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and triglyceride (TG) along with significant (p < 0.05) decrease in serum concentration of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc). Concentration of serum TC, LDL-c, TG and liver enzymes was significantly reduced in V. elaeagnifolia-treated groups. The levels of oxidative stress markers were restored to normal when the animals were treated with V. elaeagnifolia leaf extract; increased levels of antioxidant enzymes were observed.

Conclusion: The aqueous leaf extract of V. elaeagnifolia possesses antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant potentials that are dose-dependent. However, further studies are required to develop the plant for therapeutic applications.

Keywords: Hyperlipidemia, Oxidative stress markers, Cholesterol, Vernonia elaeagnifolia


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eISSN: 1596-9827
print ISSN: 1596-5996