TITLE:
Attenuation of Salt-Loading Induced Cardiomegaly and Dyslipidemia in Wistar Rats by Aqueous Leaf Extract of Chromolaena odorata
AUTHORS:
Jude C. Ikewuchi, Catherine C. Ikewuchi, Mercy O. Ifeanacho
KEYWORDS:
Chromolaena odorata; Salt-Loading; Heart Size; Lipid Profile and Atherogenic Indices; Phytochemicals
JOURNAL NAME:
Pharmacology & Pharmacy,
Vol.5 No.2,
February
14,
2014
ABSTRACT: The effect of aqueous extract of the leaves of Chromolaena odorata on body weight, organ sizes, lipid profiles and
atherogenic indices was investigated in normal and sub-chronic salt-loaded
rats. The normal and treatment control groups were fed 100% of commercial feed,
while the test control, reference and test treatment groups received an 8%
salt-loaded diet. The extract (at 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight) and moduretics
(at 1 mg/kg body weight) were orally administered daily. The normal and test
control groups orally received appropriate volumes of water. The extract was
screened for bioactive components using gas chromatography-coupled-flame
ionization detector. The main glycosides, saponins, allicins, alkaloids,
benzoic acid derivatives, terpenes and lignans detected were arbutin, avenacin
B-1 (and avenacin A-1), diallyl thiosulphinate, lupanine, ferulic acid (and
vanillic acid), limonene and retusin, respectively. Compared to test control,
the extract dose-dependently, significantly (P 0.05) lowered the heart size, plasma
levels of triglyceride, total density lipoprotein, very low density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein and non-high
density lipoprotein cholesterol and atherogenic indices (cardiac risk ratio,
atherogenic coefficient and atherogenic index of plasma). It also significantly
increased plasma high density lipoprotein level. These results suggest a
protective mechanism of the extract against hypertension induced cardiomegaly
and dyslipidemia, thus suggesting that this may underlie its antihypertensive
action.