Project Materials

THE RESPONSE OF LIPID PROFILE TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF MEZONEURON BENTHAMIANUM BAILL (JENIFIRAN) ETHANOLIC EXTRACT IN ADULT WISTAR RATS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

The Background of the Study 

Dyslipidaemia, which is defined by abnormal lipid levels in the bloodstream, is a key risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which are a leading cause of mortality globally (Grundy et al., 2019).

Reduced levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and elevated levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) have been linked to an increased risk of atherosclerosis and subsequent cardiovascular events (Wong et al., 2014).

As a result, lipid profile-modifying treatments have drawn a lot of interest in the therapy and prevention of dyslipidaemia and associated cardiovascular problems.

Many civilisations have long employed herbal medicines to treat a variety of illnesses, including dyslipidaemia (Ali-Shtayeh et al., 2017). The medicinal plant Diocleareflexa Hook. F., also referred to as Agbanrin, is indigenous to some parts of Africa.

It is a member of the Fabaceae family and has long been utilised for its medicinal qualities, which include the possibility of reducing cholesterol (Adebiyi et al., 2015).

There is little scientific proof of Diocleareflexa Hook’s lipid-modulating capabilities, despite its traditional use. F. Thus, the current investigation sought to determine how the lipid profile of adult Wistar rats responded to the treatment of Diocleareflexa Hook. F ethanoic extract.

Preclinical research has made substantial use of animal models, especially rats, to assess the safety and effectiveness of possible medicinal treatments (Corraliza-Gutiérrez et al., 2018).

Because of its physiological and metabolic similarities to humans, the Wistar rat is a commonly used animal model that can be used to study how therapeutic interventions affect lipid metabolism (Festing, 2018).

This model can be used to evaluate how Diocleareflexa Hook. F ethanoic extract affects the lipid profile and learn more about its putative therapeutic use in the treatment of dyslipidaemia.

A person’s lipid status is reflected by a number of important indicators that make up their lipid profile. TC stands for total cholesterol in the blood, which includes both HDL-C and LDL-C. A higher risk of atherosclerosis and CVDs has been linked to elevated TC levels (Genser et al., 2012).

Since LDL-C is the main cholesterol carrier to peripheral tissues and is closely linked to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques, it is sometimes referred to as “bad” cholesterol (Libby et al., 2019). However, because of its function in reverse cholesterol transport, which involves removing excess cholesterol from peripheral tissues and returning it to the liver for excretion, HDL-C is frequently referred to as “good” cholesterol (Trigatti et al., 2002).

A higher risk of CVDs has been linked to decreased HDL-C levels (Rye and Barter, 2014). The storage form of fats in adipose tissue and circulating lipoproteins is represented by TG, another significant element of the lipid profile (Gibbons et al., 2004). People with dyslipidaemia frequently have elevated TG levels, which are linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular events (Nordestgaard, 2016).

In experimental research, the administration of natural products has demonstrated promise in modifying lipid metabolism and enhancing the lipid profile.

By controlling important enzymes and pathways involved in cholesterol synthesis, absorption, and metabolism, a variety of bioactive chemicals produced from medicinal plants have been shown to have lipid-lowering effects (Pérez-Martínez et al., 2017).

Thus, investigating the possible lipid-modulating characteristics of Diocleareflexa Hook. F ethanoic extract may yield important information about its