Lipid profile of the ethanol - methanol (1:1) extracts of Anacadium occidentale and Jatropha tanjorensis administration in Wistar rats

Hyperlipidaemia is characterized by an increase in one or more of the plasma lipids. This study evaluated the lipid profile of albino Wistar rats administered ethanol-methanol extracts of Anacadium occidentale and Jatropha tanjorensis leaves. Twenty-five (25) male Wistar rats weighing between 180 - 220 g were divided into five (5) groups of five (5) rats each and treated thus: Group 1 (normal control received normal saline), group 2 and 3 administered low dose (400 mg/kg^-1 b.wt.) and high dose (800 mg/kg^-1 b.wt.) of Anacadium occidentale extract respectively, group 4 and 5 administered low dose (400 mg/kg^-1 b.wt.) and high dose (800 mg/kg^-1 b.wt.) of Jatropha tanjorensis extract respectively. At the end of the experiment, the rats were sacrificed to obtain the sera for the evaluation of serum lipid profile. The result revealed a significant (P<0.05) decrease in TC in all the groups except group IV compared with control. There was a significant (P<0.05) increase in TG and VLDL-c levels in all groups compared with control. HDL-c level significantly (P<0.05) increased in group III only compared with control. LDL-c level significantly (P<0.05) decreased in group III and V only compared with control. The LDL-c/HDL-c ratio showed no significant (P<0.05) difference between groups II, V and control, however group III significantly (P<0.05) decreased and group IV significantly (P<0.05)increased compared with the rest groups. The study suggests that the plant extracts possess lipid lowering potentials and may be employed in the treatment of metabolic disorders such as obesity and cardiovascular diseases.