Effects of Vernonia amygdalina Del. Extract on Cholesterol Level and Lipid Peroxidation Status in Rats Given Red Dye Adulterated Palm Oil Diets

Aims: To evaluate the effects of aqueous extract of V. amygdalina on lipid profile and lipid peroxidation status in rats.
Study Design: Experimentation.
Place and Duration of Study: Departments of Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Benin, Benin city, Nigeria. From February, 2011 to November, 2011.
Methodology: Biochemical analyses were carried out to determine the activities of liver and plasma catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and levels of malondialdehyde, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Consequently, forty-eight rats were divided into six groups of eight rats each; the first group of animals was fed on rats’ chow only while others were given 90% rats’ chow supplemented with 10% palm oil. Solvent red 24 was administered in the diet to provide levels of 0% (PO/GM). 0.005% (PO/0.005), 0.01% (PO/0.01) and 0.015% (PO/0.015). The sixth group of animals was given 0.015% dye along with 200mg/kg extract of V. amygdalina. The animals were given these diets for six weeks along with water ad libitum.
Results: There were reductions in catalase activities at all dose levels of dye administration and significant (P<0.05) increase in SOD and malondialdehyde levels in those groups administered with 0.015% dye (PO/0.015). These effect was significantly ameliorated on administration of the V. amygdalina extract. LDL-Cholesterol levels was significantly increased and HDL-Cholesterol reduced at all levels of dye administration, this effect was significantly ameliorated in the PO/BL group on administration of V. amygdalina.
Conclusion: Administration of different dose of solvent red 24 dye increased lipid peroxidation status and LDL-Cholesterol levels in rats, these effects were ameliorated on administration of 200mg/kg V. amygdalina aqueous extract.