Antihyperlipidemic Activity of Plectranthus neochilus Leaf Ethanolic Extract on Fat-Fed Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

Plectranthus neochilus (P. neochilus), a perennial shrub-like flowering plant have been used in Brazilian and Southern African folk medicine to treat liver related diseases amongst other ailments. Lifestyle choices, specifically continuous consumption of foods with high fat content have been identified as one of the major causes of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. In this study, the antihyperlipidemic effect of P. neochilus leaves ethanolic extracts (PNEE) in fat-fed male Wistar rats was evaluated. In-vitro antioxidant activity of the extract was evaluated using DPPH assay. Hyperlipidaemia was induced by feeding with fat-supplemented feed (FSF) (35% beef fat) for 21 days ad libitum. DPPH scavenging assay indicated antioxidant activity with an IC₅₀ of 27.48±3.85 μg/mL. While the FSF resulted to significant (p < 0.05) elevations in total cholesterol (TC) level, and triglycerides (TG) level, coupled with reduction in HDL-C level in the hyperlipidaemic control compared to the non-FSF fed rats (normal control). Interestingly, treatment with PNEE at 150 mg/kg/day, 300 mg/kg/day and Atorvastatin at 10mg/kg/day (as standard control) for 14 days with continuation of the fat-supplemented regimen, revealed significant (p < 0.05) reduction in serum levels of TC and TG as well as elevations in serum level of HDL-C in PNEE-treated groups compared to the hyperlipidemic control. These findings suggested that the PNEE possess hyperlipidemic potentials which could be used for the development of therapies against diet associated dyslipidaemia as well as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.