Abstract

CHOLESTEROLEMIC AND ANTIOXIDANT EFFECTS OF EXTRACTS OF SOME LOCALLY CONSUMED FRUITS IN MAIDUGURI

Uju Nwezoku*, Prof. M. A. Milala and Prof. A. A. Gidado

ABSTRACT

The study assessed the in vitro antioxidant potential of Cucumis sativus, Solanum macrocarpon and Solanum aethiopicum and cholesterolemic effect of Solanum macrocarpon ethanolic extract in in vivo models. The antioxidant activity of the fruit was determined by the DPPH radical scavenging method. CCl4 was used to induce hepatotoxicity, catalase and superoxide dismutase was used to study the antioxidant potential of the ethanolic extract of Solanum macrocarpon. Lipid profile- HDL, LDL, TGs, VLDL and Cholesterol were used to study the effect of the ethanolic extract of Solanum macrocarpon on the lipid panel during hepatotoxicity. The in vitro antioxidant screening showed Cucumis sativus, Solanum macrocarpon and Solanum aethiopicum all had antioxidant activities but Solanum macrocarpon had the highest antioxidant activity (286.52% RSA), and this, informed its use for further in vivo antioxidant and Lipid profile studies. CCl4 treated groups had significantly elevated concentrations of LDL 0.80mmol/l and significantly decreased concentration of cholesterol 1.76mmol/l. The extract fed groups showed significant decrease in HDL and cholesterol concentrations respectively (HDL-1.74mmol/l, Chol-1.73mmol/l and 1.46mmol/l). CCl4 had no significant effect on the antioxidant enzymes. Thus, Solanum macrocarpon may be said to possess plasma lipid lowering potential whose mechanism may not be associated with free radical scavenging.

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