Hypocholesterolemic Effects of Nauclea latifolia (Smith) Fruit Studied in Albino Rats

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the cholesterol lowering effect of Nauclea latifolia fruit as well as its chemical compositions, toxicity, vitamins, and effect on hemoglobin, red and white blood cells count in albino rats. Hypercholesterolemia is a predominant risk for atherosclerosis and associated coronary and cerebrovascular diseases. Control of cholesterol levels through therapeutic drugs, notably statins, have significantly reduced the risk for developing atherosclerosis and associated cardiovascular diseases. However, adverse effects associated with therapeutic drugs warrant to find other alternative approaches for managing hypercholesterolemia which include indigenous medicinal plants. Phytochemical detected in Nauclea latifolia increased in the order, cyanide → saponins → phytate → tannin → oxalate (0.09±0.010mg/g, 0.65±0.005%, 2.70±0.010%, 3.27±0.001mg/g, and 88.56±0.001mg/100g respectively). The crude fruit sample lowered plasma cholesterol at 40, 60 and 80% feed supplementation studied and this was dose dependent. All animals fed with the plant sample showed dose dependent increase in white blood cells at 40, 60 and 80% feed supplementation (4.23±0.01, 4.38±0.01, 4.40±0.03 (X109/L), respectively). Hemoglobin and red blood cell count decreased dose dependently. Vitamin content ranged between 6.42 to 92.72 mg/100g for vitamins E, A and C. The LC50 of the plant extract was 1240.73 µg/ml conferring lower toxicity when compared with reference standard, potassium dichromate (LC50 = 176.86 mg/ml). In conclusion, this result shows that Nauclea latifolia possesses hypocholesterolemic potential (85.20±0.05 mg/dl when compared with control 136.25±0.005 mg/dl) and is relatively non-toxic (LC50=1240.73µg/ml. Hypocholesterolemic effect is related to its phytochemical contents.