EFFECTS OF BITTER LEAF(VERNONIA AMYGDALINA) AND SCENT LEAF (OCIMUM GRATISSINUM) ON LIPID PROFILE IN SELECTED TISSUES OF WISTAR RAT.

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.