Effect of Methanolic Extract of <i>Ficus trigonata</i> Leaves on Lipid Profile and Liver Function Indices in <i>Plasmodium berghei</i> Infected Mice

Abstract

The research was designed to evaluate the effect of methanolic extract of Ficus trigonata leaves on lipid profile and liver function indices  in Plasmodium berghei infected mice. The extract was prepared by maceration and tested for antioxidant activity using Diphenyl-picryl  hydrazyl (DPPH) and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assays. Thirty-six (36) mice were used for the study. The extract was  administered orally at doses of 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg to infected mice for four days and compared to standard drug chloroquine and  normal saline controls. Lipid profile and liver function indices were determined using standard methods. The results showed that the  extract exhibited concentration-dependent antioxidant activity in both DPPH and FRAP assays, with an IC₅₀ values of 0.49 and 0.37 mg/ mL, respectively. The elevated levels of Triglycerides and Total cholesterol were significantly (P<0.05) reduced by the extract compared to  negative control. The extract significantly (P<0.05) reduced Low Density Lipoprotein cholesterol levels from 93.00 ±2.00 mg/dL in negative  controls to 81.33 ± 4.67 mg/dL, 90.33 ± 2.91 mg/dL, and 89.00 ± 3.06 mg/dL in the 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg extract treatment groups  respectively. The elevated level of High Density Lipoprotein from 60.33 ± 2.96 mg/dL in naïve mice was also significantly (P<0.05) reduced  in the treatment groups. The increased levels of Aspartate Transaminase, Alanine Transaminase, and Alkaline Phosphatase observed in  negative control were also significantly (P<0.05) reduced by the extract. The research clearly established the potential of methanolic  extract of Ficus trigonata leaves to ameliorate malaria-induced dyslipidaemia and hepatotoxicity.