Anti-hyperlipidemic effect of Vitex doniana in poloxamer induced hyperlipidemia

To determine the effect of Vitex doniana (leaves stem and root bark) ethanol extracts on lipid profiles of Poloxamer 407 (P-407) induced hyperlipidemic and normal rats. Fifty four mixed sex rats weighing 100-200g were divided into nine groups comprising six animals per group: group given feed and water only, group induced by an intra-peritoneal injection of P-407 every 48hours without treatment, groups induced and treated with atorvastatin, leaves, stem bark, root bark extracts and groups of normal rats treated with leaves, stem bark and root bark extracts without induction. In all the groups, P-407, atorvastatin, leaves, stem bark and root bark extracts were administered at a dose of 1000mg/kg, 20mg/kg, 100mg/kg, 100mg/kg and 30mg/kg body weight respectively. At the end of the 21day, the animals were sacrificed and blood sample were collected for determination of serum levels of: Total cholesterol (TC), Triacylglycerides (TAG), High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) and Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c). The studies showed that all induced treated groups significantly (P<0.05) lower serum levels of TC, TAG, LDL-c and significantly (P<0.05) increased HDL-c when compared to the P407 induced hyperlipidemic control. The normal treated groups showed no significant (P>0.05) difference in the serum levels of TC, TAG, LDL and HDL when compared to the normal control group. Calculation of atherogenic risk predictor indices of the induced treated groups showed that all the extracts significantly (P<0.05) lowered the LDL-c/HDL-c, log (TAG/HDL-c) and significantly (P<0.05) increased HDL-c/TC ratio when compared to the P407 induced hyperlipidemic control group. The atherogenic risk predictor indices of normal treated groups showed no significant difference (P>0.05) in LDL-c/HDL-c, Log (TAG/HDL-c) and HDL-c/TC ratio when compared to the normal control group. The study demonstrates the phytotherapeutic effect of Vitex doniana (leaves, stem and root bark) ethanol extract in poloxamer 407 induced hyperlipidemia.