Thesis Abstract

The effect of ethanol leaf extract of Irvingia gabonensis O’Rorke Baill on lipid profile in sodium arsenite-exposed Wistar albino rats was investigated. Forty (40) female wistar rats of weights between 100g-161g were randomized into 8 groups of 5 animals each. Group 1 served as control and was given normal feed and water ad libitum. Group 2 was administered 4.1mg/kg body weight (mg/Kgbw) sodium arsenite (SA) for 14days. Groups 3, 4, and 5 were post-treated with 100mg/Kgbw, 200mg/Kgbw, and 400mg/Kgbw of extract respectively for 14 days after SA intoxication for 14 days. Groups 6, 7, and 8 were administered 100mg/Kgbw, 200mg/Kgbw, and 400mg/Kgbw of extract respectively for 14days. Treatments were by oral administration and lasted for 28days. Sodium arsenite toxicity was shown by significant (p<0.05) increases in serum Total Cholesterol (TC), Triacylglycerol (TAG), High density lipoprotein (HDL), Low density lipoprotein (LDL), Very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), and total lipid levels in group 2 as compared with the control. However, treatment with extract at different doses (groups 3, 4, 5) led to significant (p<0.05) decreases in all assayed parameters compared with group 2. Furthermore, treatment with extract only at different doses showed significant (p<0.05) and non-significant (p˃0.05) increases in assayed parameters compared with control except LDL levels which decreased significantly. Ethanol leaf extract of Irvingia gabonensis O’Rorke Baill may therefore be very useful in mitigating sodium arsenite-induced lipid metabolism derangements in Wistar rats.

Keywords Irvingia gabonensis O’Rorke Baill, Sodium arsenite, Lipid profile, Lipid metabolism, Intoxication

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