Effect Of Aqueous Fraction Of Vernonia Amygdalina Del Extract On Lipid Profile Of Rats Fed A High Fat Diet:-Obiuku, Ezinne G

ABSTRACT The effect of aqueous fraction of Vernonia amygdalina on lipid profile ofrats fed a high fat diet cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and myocardial infraction. Studies have shown the role of Vernonia amygdalina in the prevention and management of cardiovascular diseases. Twenty-four albino rats were used four this study. They were divided into four groups of 6 animals each. Group 1 received Low Fat Diet (LFD), group 2 received High Fat Diet with Orlistat, group 3 received High fat Diet (HFD) only, while group 4 received High Fat Diet with aqueous fraction of Vernonia amygdalina orally t. 200mg/kg body weight for 7 days. The animals were fasted overnight and sacrificed. Blood was collected by cardiac puncture. Lipid profile was assayed using kits supplied by Agappc diagnostics Switzerland. SPSS (Version 20.0) groups that received HFD-i-aqueous fraction of Vernonia amygdalina (98.68+ 20.73) and 1 IFD+Orlistat (65.19+31.19) relative to group that received HFD only (198.36+2.21).Triacylglyccrol level was significantly (P<0.05) decreased in groups that received HFD + aqueous fraction (51.16±20.07) and HFD + Orlistat (68.02+16.92) relative to group that receive HFD only (213.40+33.64). HDL-cholesterol was significantly (P>0.0o) significant (P>0.05) decrease in cholesterol level in groups that received HFD + aqueous fraction (127.77 + 5.05) and HFD + Orlistat (205.37+7.41) when compared with the control HFD group (207.23+4.74). Relative heart weight significantly (P>0.05) increased in HFD + aqueous fraction group when compared to the HFD only group. Relative liver weight was not significant (P<0.05) in HFD + aqueous fraction group when compared to HFD only group. Relative kidney weight showed only group.These findings confirm that Vernonia amygdalina has lipid-lowering ability and may be of clinical importance to individuals at risk of cardiovascular diseases.