Abstract

To determine the effect of Vitex doniana (leaves stem and root bark) ethanolic extracts on lipid profiles of Poloxamer 407 (P407) induced hyperlipidemic and normal rats. Fifty four mixed sex rats weighing 100-200g were divided into nine groups comprising six animals per group. At the end of the 21 day, the animals were sacrificed and blood sample were collected for determination of serum levels of: Total cholesterol (TC), Triacylglycerides (TAG), High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) and Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c). The studies showed that all induced treated groups significantly (P<0.05) lower serum levels of TC, TAG, LDL-c and significantly (P<0.05) increased HDL-c when compared to the P407 induced hyperlipidemic control. The normal treated groups showed no significant (P>0.05) difference in the serum levels of TC, TAG, LDL and HDL when compared to the normal control group. Calculation of atherogenic risk predictor indices of the induced treated groups showed that all the extracts significantly (P<0.05) lowered the LDL-c/HDL-c, log (TAG/HDL-c) and significantly (P<0.05) increased HDL-c/TC ratio when compared to the P407 induced hyperlipidemic control group. The atherogenic risk predictor indices of normal treated groups showed no significant difference (P>0.05) in LDL-c/HDL-c, Log (TAG/HDL-c) and HDL-c/TC ratio when compared to the normal control group. The study demonstrates the phytotherapeutic effect of Vitex doniana (leaves, stem and root bark) ethanolic extract in poloxamer 407 induced hyperlipidemia.