Assessment of Anti-lipidaemic Effects of Aqueous and Ethanolic Seed Extracts of Datura stramonium on Male Albino Rats
Junaidu Yahaya *
Departments of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Kogi State University, Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria.
Gideon Obaje Sunday
Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Kogi State University, Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria.
Muazu Muhammed
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, Kogi State University, Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria.
Abdullahi Attah Alfa
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Kogi State University, Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria.
Kokori Bajeh Tijani
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, Kogi State University, Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: This study was carried out to investigate anti-lipidaemic effects of aqueous and ethanolic seed extracts of Datura stramonium.
Methods: A total of twenty five albino rats weighing between 150 – 180 g were used. They were divided into five groups each contained five rats. Group 1, was the normal control and thus received normal saline. Groups 2 and 3 were treated respectively with aqueous extract at doses of 300 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg while groups 4 and 5 respectively received 300 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg ethanolic extract. The extracts were administered orally and the animals were sacrificed on the day 8 and the blood samples collected via retro-orbital plexus. The blood was then centrifuged after fifteen minutes and serum obtained for lipid profile analysis.
Results: The total cholesterol level generally decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in test groups, except in group 2 (0.502 ±.008 mg/dl) which received lower aqueous extract dose of 300 mg/kg. There was a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in triacylglycerol (TG) levels in groups of 2 and 3 (groups treated with aqueous extract) but indicated a significant (p < 0.05) increase in group 4 (0.15 ± .003 mg/dl) which received high ethanolic extract dose. The high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels increased significantly (p < 0.05) in groups 4 and 5 with the mean values of 0.164 ± .002 mg/dl and 0.147 ± .004 mg/dl respectively. The mean values of the low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level generally indicated a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in all test groups, the decrease was more significant in groups 4 and 5 with mean values of 0.065 ± .00 mg/dl and 0.069 ± .00 mg/dl, when compared with groups 2 and 3.
Conclusions: This study proves that both aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Datura stramonium possess anti-lipidaemic property. The ethanolic extract had higher anti-lipidaemic property than the aqueous extract. Both extracts might be useful in the treatement of some cancers and cardiovascular diseases.
Keywords: Datura stramonium, aqueous extract, ethanolic extract, anti-lipidaemic, medicinal plants, cardiovascular diseases