Journal Article

Lipid Profile and Hematological Assessment of Ethanol Extract of Whole Merremicae hederacea in Rats

Abstract

Immunological competence plays an important role in the progression of illness and treatment of diseases. The pathology of many diseases is associated with inflammatory responses. HDL-cholesterol is a potent anti-inflammatory agent known to reverse cholesterol transport from the arteries back to the liver for detoxification. The aim of this research was to evaluate the hypolipidaemic and immunomodulatory potentials of Merremicae hederacea. Crude Ethanol extract of Merremicae hederacea whole plant was administered to Wister rats daily over 4 weeks while the control group received normal saline. 3 rats were randomly selected from each group and sacrificed. Blood samples were collected for lipid profile and haematological analyses respectively. Cholesterol, triacylglycerol, HDL and LDL cholesterols were determined. Blood indices such as haemoglobin, haematocrit, red blood cell distribution width, red blood cell, white blood cell, lymphocyte, monocyte and granulocyte counts were determined. M. hederacea extract was able to significantly (p ˃ 0.05) increase HDLcholesterol concentration of the test compared to the control and also decreased significantly (p ˃ 0.05) LDL-cholesterol concentration compared to the control There was no significant (p < 0.05) difference in both white blood cell and red blood indices of the test compared to the control, however, there was a significant (p > 0.05) difference in the G/AG ratio of the test group compared to the control, thereby increasing chances of immune stimulation. M. hederacea extract has ability to increase serum HDL cholesterol levels and also stimulate the immune system. This outcome could not only potentially reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with cardiovascular diseases but also provide incentive for the development of a range of therapeutic agents designed specifically to increase HDL levels.

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