Comparative Hypolipidemic Evaluation of Aframomum Melegueta Seeds and Moringa Oleifera Leaves

Aims: The study was carried out to compare the lipid lowering effects of both crude drugs as well as deducing the extracts with the best lipid lowering property; and the fractions.

Study Design: The research was conducted with an experimental design solely based on laboratory trials which involved the use of ninety-six (96) male albino wistar rats to compare the hypolipidemic effects of both crude drugs and respective fractions.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacognosy Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Agulu, Anambra State, Nigeria. The research was carried out from March to August, 2021.

Methodology: Ethanol extracts of both plants were prepared using soxhlet extraction. Each extract was then subjected to VLC fractionation using four solvents: n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol. The fractions were bulked together after conducting thin layer chromatographic procedures and each extract was bulked into four fractions. The acute toxicity studies (LD50) of both extracts were determined in the rats using Lorke’s method. The crude extracts were screened for the presence and quantity of phytoconstituents using standard methods. The antilipidemic study was carried out using sixty-eight (68) rats randomized into seventeen (17) groups of four (4) animals each. Lipid profile was determined using spectrophotometer. Liver function tests and histology was also carried out using standard procedures.

Results: Administration of various treatments (both crude extracts and fractions) evoked a significant (p<0.05) reduction of TC, TG, and LDL-C as well as significant (p<0.05) elevation of HDL-C when compared with the negative control. With a percentage serum lipid reduction of 45.11%TC, 48.23%TG, 63.39% LDL-C and 174.69% elevation of HDL-C, the group treated with the combination of 500 mg/kg Aframomum melegueta and 500 mg/kg Moringa oleifera produced the best hypolipidemic effect. This is closely followed by fraction MO4. Comparatively, Moringa oleifera extracts exerts a better antilipidemic effect than Aframomum melegueta seed extract. The liver function test showed that both plants has no toxic effect on the liver cells at doses of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg, hence confirming the hepatoprotective effect of both crude drugs at the doses administered.

Conclusion: In conclusion, results from this study suggests that ethanol extract of Moringa oleifera leaves is more effective than ethanol extract of Aframomum melegueta seeds as a hypolipidemic agent, however, combination of both crude drugs as a lipid lowering agent has proved to be more effective and reliable when compared to each crude drug administered independently.