Hypolipidaemic Effects of Methanolic Leaf Extract of Anisopus mannii in Diet-Induced Hyperlipidemic Albino Rats

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the hypolipidemic effects of the methanolic leaf extract of Anisopus mannii.                  Study Design: An in vivo experimental study using diet-induced hyperlipidemic albino rats to evaluate the antihyperlipidemic potential of methanolic leaves extract of Anisopus mannii. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry, Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina, between September 2023 and March 2024. Methodology: The leaf extract was evaluated for the presence of phytochemicals. The extract was subjected to thin layer chromatography to obtain pure fractions, the fractions obtained were fed to hyperlipidemic albino rats. Results: Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids (4.50%), flavonoids (3.69%), saponins (3.26%), phenols (2.50%), terpenoids (1.86%), and tannins (1.56%). The thin layer chromatography revealed four (4) fractions. The lipid-lowering efficacy was evaluated in hyperlipidemic rats over three weeks, with Fraction F2 showing the most promising results. This fraction significantly reduced total cholesterol (46.5 ± 1.6 mg/dl) and triglycerides (72.3 ± 1.1 mg/dl) compared to the hyperlipidemic control (123 ± 1.9 mg/dl and 133.3 ± 3.1 mg/dl respectively), while increasing HDL (46.8 ± 0.1 mg/dl) and reducing LDL (26.2 ± 3.0 mg/dl) levels. These effects were comparable to the standard drug Atorvastatin. GC-MS analysis of the most active fraction revealed the presence of several bioactive compounds, including α-Farnesene, Caryophyllene, and their derivatives, which may contribute to its therapeutic effects. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the methanolic leaf extract of Anisopus mannii possesses lipid lowering effects which could be useful in the treatment of hyperlipidemia.