Project Abstract

The abstract section of the research content is as follows Abstract
Desmodium velutinum is a plant that has been traditionally used in various parts of Africa for its medicinal properties. This study aimed to investigate the antilipidemic effect of the water extract of Desmodium velutinum leaves on albino Wistar rats. Thirty male albino Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups a normal control group, a hyperlipidemic control group, and three treatment groups receiving different doses of the Desmodium velutinum extract (200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, and 600 mg/kg). The hyperlipidemia in rats was induced by feeding them a high-fat diet for 28 days. At the end of the study, blood samples were collected for lipid profile analysis. The results showed that the rats in the hyperlipidemic control group had significantly elevated levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) compared to the normal control group. However, the rats treated with the Desmodium velutinum extract showed a dose-dependent reduction in these lipid parameters. The group that received the highest dose of the extract (600 mg/kg) exhibited the most significant decrease in TC, TG, LDL-C, and VLDL-C levels, approaching levels similar to the normal control group. Furthermore, the extract also demonstrated antioxidant properties by significantly increasing the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the treated groups compared to the hyperlipidemic control group. Histopathological examination of the liver tissues revealed that the extract ameliorated the hepatic damage induced by the high-fat diet. In conclusion, the water extract of Desmodium velutinum leaves exhibited antilipidemic effects in albino Wistar rats with experimentally induced hyperlipidemia. The extract not only reduced the lipid profile parameters but also showed antioxidant properties and protected the liver from damage. These findings suggest that Desmodium velutinum could be a potential natural treatment for dyslipidemia and related conditions. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of action and to explore its potential for human use.

Project Overview

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY

Lipid and lipoprotein abnormalities play a major role in the

development and progression of coronary artery diseases. Low levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterols have been identified as independent coronary risk factors (Rodrigue et al., 2010). High level of blood cholesterol is responsible for circulatory system disorder. Increase level of low density lipoprotein (LDL) is alarming for cardiovascular diseases and their risk is increased many times (Harman et al., 2011).

In developing countries, the occurrence of heart diseases increases rapidly (Nordestgard et al., 2010). Medical studies show that about 70% of adults over 50 years old suffer atherosclerosis. (Sherien and Azza, 2009). A large number of synthetic hypolipidemic drugs are available in market. Long term use of these drugs cause serious side effects, and are costly.

A medicinal plant is any plant which in one or more of its organ, contains substance that can be used for therapeutic purpose or which is a precursor for synthesis of useful drugs (Sivakumar et al., 2007). Plant contains a large number of bioactive phytochemicals that are responsible for pharmacological action of plants and used for development of drugs. Many

medicinal plants have shown their antilipidemic effect and proved their efficacy in cardiovascular diseases (Nordestgard et al., 2010; Wang, 1999).

One of such plants used very often in the management of the disease by the traditional medicine practitioners of Eastern Nigeria is Desmodium velutium, a perennial plant erect or semi-erect shrub or sub-shrub up to 3m light. It is widely distributed in subtropical Asia and tropical Africa. (Amowi and Azode, 2012).

Extracts of Desmodium velutium are used traditionally in some disease conditions particularly aphrodisiac and headache. Hence,

Desomdium velutium may be a source of a pharmacological active agent useful in the treatment of aches, pains and diarrhoea. In Ghana, native doctors mix the root of Desmodium lasincarpum with some hot peppers and use it as enema to cure blood in urine. In Eastern States of Nigeria, the plant locally known as ÒIkeagwuaniÓ. (Onyegbule et al., 2012). In these present studies, I investigated the antilipidemic activity of the water (H2O) extract of

Desmodium velutinum Leaves on albino wistar rats.