ETHANOL LEAF EXTRACT OF Acalypha wilkesiana INFLUENCES THE PLASMA LEVELS OF HDL and LDL IN 1,2-DIMETHYLHYDRAZINE INDUCED COLON TUMOUR IN WISTAR RATS.

ABSTRACT

Acalypha wilkesiana is a tropical plant native to the Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia, and Australia. The leaves of the plant are used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of conditions, including inflammation, infection, and digestive disorders. The plant contains a variety of phytochemicals, which may contribute to its therapeutic effects. 1,2 dimethylhydrazine is a chemical compound that is used in laboratory research to induce tumorigenesis in the colon of wister rats. It is a strong carcinogen that causes DNA damage and cell death, leading to the development of tumors in the colon and rectum.Cholesterol is a fatty substance known as a lipid and is vital for the normal functioning of the body. LDL and HDL are two types of lipoproteins that transport cholesterol in the blood. This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of A. wilkesiana on the plasma levels of HDL and LDL of the male wistar rats after a period of time. A total of 46 healthy rats were grouped into six groups and were fed and given water daily. Group 1 was the control and exposed to standard feeding and water only, Group 2 was the tumorigenic control and was fed DMH, Group 3 was the positive control and exposed to xeloda a standard drug while Groups 4, 5 and 6 were treated with extracts of 200 mg, 400 mg and 800 mg respectively. At the end of this study, animals were fasted overnight and sacrificed. Sample of blood was collected and centrifuged to obtain the serum and were subjected to biochemical assays. Results from this assay showed slight significant impact in the levels of HDL and LDL. This study suggests that A. wilkesiana significantly improves lipid profiles in DMH-induced colon tumour rats by increasing HDL levels and decreasing LDL levels in a dose-dependent manner.