Effect of Avocado Leaf Extracts on Lipid Profile and Blood Pressure in Cadmium Induced Hypertensive Wistar Rats

Abstract

Background: This study investigated the ameliorative effects of avocado leaf extract on cadmium-induced hypertension and dyslipidemia in male Wistar rats. Hypertension and dyslipidemia, often exacerbated by environmental toxins like cadmium, pose significant health risks, particularly in industrial settings. Our aim was to determine whether avocado leaf extract could mitigate these adverse effects and serve as a cost-effective alternative to conventional drugs. Methods: Fifty Wistar rats (90–120 g) were acclimatized for two weeks and divided into five groups (n = 10 per group). Group 1 received water (positive control), Group 2 was administered 0.2 mg/kg cadmium (negative control), Group 3 received 0.2 mg/kg cadmium plus 100 mg/kg avocado leaf extract (low dose), Group 4 received 0.2 mg/kg cadmium plus 300 mg/kg avocado leaf extract (high dose), and Group 5 received 0.2 mg/kg cadmium plus 40 mg/kg hydrochlorothiazide (standard drug). Blood pressure was measured using a computerized tail-cuff method, while serum biochemical parameters, including lipid profiles and renal function markers, were analyzed using established enzymatic and colorimetric methods. Results: Results showed that cadmium exposure significantly elevated diastolic blood pressure (96.60 ± 0.02 mmHg) and systolic pressure (180.00 ± 2.26 mmHg) compared to the positive control (60.43 ± 2.05 mmHg and 140.00 ± 2.26 mmHg, respectively, p < 0.05). Treatment with low-dose avocado extract significantly reduced diastolic pressure to 58.00 ± 0.24 mmHg (p < 0.05 vs. cadmium-only), while high-dose extract and the standard drug resulted in 68.00 ± 0.16 mmHg and 65.00 ± 0.03 mmHg, respectively. Dyslipidemia was also significantly improved, with high-dose extract reducing total cholesterol (2.97 ± 0.45 mmol/L) and LDL (2.25 ± 0.34 mmol/L) compared to cadmium-only exposure (3.37 ± 0.32 mmol/L and 2.57 ± 0.32 mmol/L, respectively). Additionally, renal parameters showed improvement, as high-dose avocado extract significantly reduced urea (4.8 ± 0.40 mg/dL) compared to cadmium exposure alone (UR 4.10 ± 0.60 mg/dL, p < 0.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that avocado leaf extract may offer a promising, natural therapeutic alternative to conventional drugs for managing cadmium-induced hypertension and dyslipidemia. Further clinical investigations are warranted to confirm its efficacy and safety in human populations.