EFFECT OF METHANOL LEAF EXTRACT OF GEOPHILA OBVALLATA ON TOTAL CHOLESTEROL LEVEL IN CCL4-EXPOSED WISTAR RATS

 ABSTRACT

The primary targets for carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) toxicity are liver and kidney. The severity of the effect on the liver depends on a number of factors, such as species susceptibility, route and mode of exposure, diet and co-exposure to other compounds, in particular ethanol. It is an established model for liver damage. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of methanol leaf extract of Geophila obvallata on total cholesterol (TC) level in CCl₄-exposed Wistar rats. The extract was prepared using previous method described in the literature. A total of thirty (30) rats were distributed into six groups of five rats each: normal control, CCl₄ control, 50 mg extract/kg bwt, 100 mg extract/kg bwt, 150 mg extract/kg bwt and extract control groups. Test rats received extract treatment daily for fourteen (14) days, while the control group received only pelleted rat feed and water. The results showed that change in body weight was not significantly different among normal control, 100 and 150 mg extract/kg bwt, and extract control groups (p > 0.05). It was however, reduced in CCl₄ and 50 mg extract/kg bwt groups, relative to normal control group (p < 0.05). Carbon tetrachloride significantly increased the level of plasma TC (p < 0.05). However, treatment with methanol leaf extract of Geophila obvallata significantly reduced TC level in rats with liver damage (p < 0.05). Among the treatment groups TC levels were significantly reduced in 50 and 100 mg extract/kg bwt groups, relative to 150 mg extract/kg bwt and extract control groups (p < 0.05). These results indicate that methanol leaf extract of Geophila obvallata is effective in the amelioration of altered lipid profile induced by CCl₄ in Wistar rats.