Effect of Ethanolic Extract of Traditional Herbal Tea (Aju-Mbaise) on Lipid Profile and Some Liver Enzymes in Dyslipidaemic Female Wistar Rats

Considering the recent popular use of a herbal tea― Aju Mbaise, in Southern parts of Nigeria, for weight shedding, the present study evaluated the effect of Ethanolic Extract of Aju Mbaise (EEAM) herbs consumption on lipid profile, some liver enzymes and body weight in high fat-diet induced dyslipidemic female Wistar rats were evaluated. Thirty (30) female Wistar rats weighing between 120-180g were used for this study and were divided into six (6) groups of 5 rats each: Group 1 rats (Negative Control) were allowed access to normal rat feed and water ad libitum. Groups 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 rats were allowed access to only high-fat diet (HFD) and water ad libitum from the three weeks of acclimatization and throughout the period of administration. Group 2 served as positive control (received no treatment) while Group 3, was administered 1ml of 0.04mg simvastatin (a standard antidyslipidemic drug), and groups 4, 5 and 6 were administered 150mg/kg, 300mg/kg and 600mg/kg EEAM respectively. The body weights of the rats were recorded weekly. After the 21 days of administration, blood samples were collected from the rats via cardiac puncture after properly sedating them with 80% trichloromethane. The blood samples were then subjected to lipid profile and liver enzyme screening. Quantitative data obtained were then statistically analysed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences SPSS. The HFD elevated serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were significantly (P<0.05) reduced in groups 3 to 6 (treated rats) when compared to mainly group 2 and occasionally group (untreated rats). The serum levels of some liver enzymes particularly alanine transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were found to be mostly significantly (p<0.05) elevated in the treated rats when compared to those of Groups 1 and 2. The percentage change in body weight of the rats in the treated groups (3, 4, 5 and 6) were also found to be significantly (P< 0.05) reduced when compared to the positive control (Group 2) which was not treated. Thus, while EEAM may be beneficial in regulating lipid profile and weight gain check, it may possibly result in significant hepatotoxicity in increasing EEAM doses and its continuous consumption.