TOXICOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF HIGH DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN-CHOLESTEROL AND LOW DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN-CHOLESTEROL IN NORMAL SPRAGUE-DAWLEY RATS ADMINISTERERED ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF Picralima nitida

ABSTRACT

This investigation assessed the potential toxic effects of Picralima nitida ethanol extract on serum levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in healthy Sprague Dawley rats. Fifteen male, healthy rats were used for the acute toxicity, and in phase I, twelve rats were split into four groups of three rats each at random. The final three rats were divided into three groups of one rat each for phase two. After a single treatment, the rats were monitored for 14 days to look for any signs of toxicity.Thirty male Sprague Dawley rats were used in the subchronic study. They were split up into six groups of five rats each. Group I served as the control group, and groups II, III, IV, V, and VI received daily gavage doses of the extract (150 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg, 800 mg/kg, 2000 mg/kg, and 5000 mg/kg body weight) for a period of 28 days. After 28 days, the lipid profile was assessed, and the histopathology of a portion of the heart was checked. In comparison to the control group, the 300 mg/kg group's HDL levels decreased in a dose-dependent manner, while the 5000 mg/kg groups' LDL levels increased. No overt toxicity symptoms were noticed. A heart histological examination showed no signs of treatment-related changes. At the 300 mg/kg dose, there was a rise in total cholesterol and a decrease in triglycerides.This implies that Picralima nitida ethanol extract may have variable effects on lipid profiles and may also affect lipid metabolism; however, more investigation is required to clarify the underlying mechanisms and any potential therapeutic implications