Abstract:
Hyperlipidemia is the abnormal increase in the level of lipid in the body which can lead to
deposit of lipids in the arteries (atherosclerosis) as well as other precursors to pathologies.
Vernonia amygdalina and Ocimum gratissinum are common plants especially in Western
Nigeria and their leaves serve as vegetables while some take their aqueous extracts as herbs
for the prophylactic and ameliorative therapy of aforementioned ailments. This research was
to determine theantihyperlipidermiceffect of the aqueous extracts of the leaves of Vernonia
amygdalina and Ocimum gratissimum individually and cognitive effects on induced
hyperlipidemia in male albino rats. The antioxidant activities of Vernonia amygdalina and
Ocimum gratissimumleaves were typified by total antioxidant, reducing power, ABTS, DPPH
and hydroxyl radicals scavenging and metal chelating activities assays. The in vivo
biochemical effects were determined by monitoring the deteriorating and ameliorating effects
of high fat diet and leaf extract respectively on liver and kidney functions, oxidative stress and
lipidomics markers. The results revealed that V. amygdalina had higher invitro antioxidant
activities compared to O. gratissimum. The combined effect showed an activity that
potentiated O. gratissimum.While there was reduction in the activity ofV. amygdalinawhen
monitored for cognitive effects with O. gratissimum.V. amygdalina had highly significant
antihyperlipidemic activity than O. gratissimum. Depending on the therapeutic applications,
V. amygdalina is most preferred when it comes to antilipidemic management.
