Hypocholesterolemic Potential of <i>Momordica charantia</i> Butanol Fraction on Albino Rats Fed High Fat Diet

Abstract

Hypercholesterolemia is characterized by high blood cholesterol. It is a leading cause of disease burden accounting for one-third of ischemic heart diseases and one-fifth of stroke and reports reveal a rising prevalence across many low- income countries including Nigeria. While the quest for a therapeutic remedy is ongoing, this study investigated the effect of Momordica charantia butanol fraction (MCB) on lipid profile (TC, TG, LDL-c and HDL-c) of hypercholesterolemic and normolipidemic albino rats. Crude extract of M. charantia was fractionated by liquid-liquid extraction. Acute toxicity (LD₅₀) of MCB was determined. The components of the MCB were examined by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Biochemical analyses of serum lipids were performed by reflectance photometry. Twenty-eight albino rats were divided into seven groups of four rats each. Group 1 (Control) fed on basal diet (BD). Group 2 fed on high fat diet (HFD). Group 3 and 4 fed on HFD and orally administered MCB at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg bw/day, respectively. Group 5 fed on HFD and administered 100mg/kg of Atorvastatin. Group 6 and 7 fed on BD and administered MCB at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg respectively. The LD₅₀ of MCB was found to be ≥ 3807.89mg/kg. All treated groups showed a significant (P< 0.05) suppression of body weight compared to control and untreated HFD group (group 2). Also, a significant (P<0.05) decrease in the levels of TC, TG and LDL-c was observed in all treated high fat diet groups (group 3, 4 and 5) compared to group 2. However, HDL-c levels of treated HFD groups significantly (P<0.05) increased compared to group 2. No significant difference (P>0.05) in the level of all lipid profile parameters of treated basal diet groups (group 6 and 7) compared to the control. These findings illustrated that MCB possess hypocholesterolemic potential and may be valuable for preventing hypercholesterolemia induced by high fat diet.