EFFECT OF GARLIC (Allium sativum) EXTRACT ON SERUM LIPID PROFILE OF ATORVASTATIN INDUCED DYSLIPIDAEMIC ALBINO RATS FED WITH HIGH FAT DIET (HFD)

Abstract

Hyperlipidaemia is an established risk factor for coronary heart disease. The use of whole plants or their parts in lowering raised lipid levels has continue to draw attention of researchers. Therefore, this research was carried out to assess the effect of garlic (Allium sativum) extract on serum lipid profile. Thirty five (n=35) Albino rats of both sexes weighing 50-90g were divided into seven groups of five rats per group. Hyperlipidemia was induced through feeding the rats with high fat diet (HFD). Group I labeled as negative control and fed on a standard diet and water. Group II (positive control) was fed on high fat diet (HFD) and clean water for six weeks. Group III (standard control) fed on high fat diet and (HFD) and administered 10mg/kg atorvastatin for two weeks. Remaining groups IV, V, VI and VII were fed on high fat diet (HFD) for 42 days and orally administered with garlic extract of varying amounts (100, 200, 300 and 400mg/kg body weight/day) respectively for two weeks. The results showed that mortality was not observed in phase one and phase two. The LD50 by oral route in rat was greater than 5000 mg/kg body weight. Atorvastatin and garlic extract significantly increased (p< 0.05) the level of plasma HDL-cholesterol and decreased plasma total cholesterol (TC), LDL-cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol and triglycerides (TG) for group III rats when compared with negative and standard control (I and II). Rats orally administered with high and low doses of garlic extract showed significant difference (p< 0.05) in serum LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol in group IV, V, VI and VII. This indicates that the Garlic extract has a good hypolipidemic activity.