Evaluation of the Anti-hyperlipidemic Activity of Ethanolic and Aqueous Extracts of Solanum melongena in Wistar Rats

Hyperlipidemia is characterized by hypercholesterolemia and/or hypertriglyceridemia and can lead to obesity, arteroscelerosis and hypertension among others. Although different types of oral hypolipidemic agents are available for treatment of the condition, there is a growing interest in plant-based remedies due to the side effects and high cost of conventional antihyperlipidemic drugs. This study evaluated the antihyperlipidemic effects of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Solanum melongena (Egg plant) fruits in Wistar albino rats. Fresh S. melongena fruits were bought from the market. Both aqueous and ethanolic fruit extracts were prepared. The study rats were induced with hyperlipidemia by feeding them on a high fat diet for 3 weeks. The extracts were administered daily, orally for 2 weeks to the rats at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg b.wt. Atorvastatin (4 mg/kg) and distilled water, administered orally, were used as positive and normal control respectively. After 14 days, blood samples were collected in non-heparinised vacutainers by cardiac puncture. Serum levels of LDL, HDL, total cholesterol and triglycerides were determined using a Cobas 6000 automatic analyzer (Roche Diagnostic, USA). Phytochemical components of the extracts were determined qualitatively. There was a significant (p<0.05) increase in blood total cholesterol and triglycerides in all experimental animals following feeding with a high fat diet, with a significant reduction (p<0.05) in LDL at post treatment when compared with pretreatment phase. All extract doses caused weight decrease in all treatment groups when compared to the normal control group. The 500 mg/kg dose of the ethanolic extract hand the greatest (p<0.05) anti-hyperlipidemic activity. S. melongena activity may be attributed to multiple mechanisms of phytochemicals present.