Effect of Ethanol Extract of Cucurbita pepo Leaves on the Lipid Profile of Wistar Albino Rats
F. U. Eneh *
Department of Applied Biochemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
G. C. Ugochukwu
Department of Applied Biochemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
C. M. Okoye
Department of Applied Biochemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: The role of nutrition in lipid metabolism continues to generate a lot of research interest, especially as dyslipidaemia is implicated in a host of diseases. The work investigated the effect of ethanol extract of Curcubita pepo leaves on the lipid profile of Wister rats.
Methodology: A total of 18 rats divided into three groups of 6 rats each were employed in the investigation. The first group (baseline) was sacrificed after purchase; second group (control) was fed rat chow, and the third group (test) was fed a composite feed containing rat chow and 10% extract of C. pepo leaves.
Results: The lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, HDL and VLDL) of the rats was assayed after 18 days of feeding and the result showed no significant difference (P>0.05) between the test group and control for the lipids assayed. However, there was a marked increase in the HDL level of the test group (0.500±0.057 mmol/L) compared to the control (0.268±0.043 mmol/L), it was nonetheless statistically non-significant (P=0.068). The HDL increasing effect observed may stem from the rich phytochemistry of the leaves, as preliminary phytochemical investigation showed the leaves to contain saponin, tannin, alkaloids, flavonoids and glycosides.
Conclusion: We conclude that the leaves of C. pepo may play a medicinal role in maintaining lipid homeostasis.
Keywords: Cucurbita pepo, leaves, lipid profile, hypolipidemia, wistar rats, ethanol extracts