2016, Vol. 4, Issue 2, Part C

author(s)
Friday O Uhegbu, Chinedu Imo, Chibuzo H Onwuegbuchulam

abstract
The lipid lowering activity of ethanolic leaf extract of two medicinal plants, Chromolaena odorata and Ageratum conyzoides in male Albino rats were investigated. Chromolaena odorata and Ageratum conyzoides ethanolic leaf extract was administered at 25mg/kg body weight respectively and then a combination of the two extract at 12.5mg/kg body weight each concurrently to the animals for 14 days. Results show that the leaf extracts of the two medicinal plants singly significantly (p≤0.05) increased the mean body weights of the experimental animals 115.42±0.46g to 118.45±0.68g; 121.67±0.54g respectively. Total protein level was non-significantly (p≤0.05) increased from 9.76±0.04mg/dl to 9.87±0.06mg/dl; 9.83 ±0.12mg/dl respectively. Glucose concentration was reduced significantly (p≤0.05) from 65.32±3.56mg/dl to 61.68±2.12mg/dl and 62.34±1.28mg/dl respectively. The lipid profile of the experimental animals, total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, LDL, VLDL were significantly (p≤0.05) reduced, except HDL which significantly increased in the animals. Lipid peroxidation significantly reduced. The antioxidant activities of the extracts also showed that Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Glutathione-s-transferase (GST), Glutathione peroxidase (GSH) and Vitamin C also increased (p≤0.05) significantly. A combination of the two medicinal plants extracts had a more significant (p≤0.05) effect on the parameters measured compared to when they were administered separately.