Hypolipidemic Propensity of Ethanolic Extract of Xylopia aethiopica Fruit in Wistar Rats

Aim: This study is aimed at assessing the effect of Xylopia aethiopica fruit on the lipid profile of Wistar rats.

Methodology: The fruits of Xylopia aethiopica were obtained from new market in Aba, Abia State, Nigeria and were authenticated. They were air-dried and extracted using Soxhlet apparatus and ethanol as solvent. The median lethal dose (LD50) of the extract was determined using standard method. Thirty Wistar rats were used for this study. They were acclimatized for seven days, weighed and divided into five groups of six rats each. Animals in group A were administered 129.62 mg/kg body weight (10% of LD50) of X. aethiopica fruit extract, those in group B were administered 259.23 mg/kg body weight (20% of LD50) of X. aethiopica fruit extract, those in group C were administered 388.85 mg/kg body weight (30% of LD50) of X. aethiopica fruit extract, those in group D were administered 518.46 mg/kg body weight (40% of LD50) of X. aethiopica fruit extract, while those in group E (control) received normal feeds and water only. The administration was done once daily for 28 days via oral route. At the end of 28 days treatment, animals were weighed and weights recorded, and were sacrificed under ether anaesthesia after an overnight fast. Lipid profile was determined using standard methods.

Results: The physical signs of toxicity observed in the animals included excitation, paw licking, increased respiratory rate, decreased motor activity, gasping and coma which was followed by death. A significant (P<0.05) reduction was in the total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol, and VLDL-cholesterol concentrations of experimental animals when compared with those of the control group. However, a significant (P<0.05) increase was observed in the HDL-cholesterol and HDL/LDL ratio of experimental animals when compared with those of the control group.

Conclusion: The result of this study demonstrated that extract of Xylopia aethiopica fruit possesses hypolipidemic propensity and could be useful in the prevention and management of obesity and cardiovascular diseases. However, the extract could be toxic at dosage above 259.23 mg/kg body weight.