Abstract

Studies were undertaken to investigate the effect of the aqueous fruit extract of Solanum macrocarpum on the total lipid profile [total cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C)] and faecal cholesterol on triton-induced hyperlipidaemic rats. Total serum cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL-C were lowered in the hyperlipidaemic rats with increasing dose of the extract whilst HDL-C increased. These changes however were not significant (P>0.05) with the exception of LDL-C which was significant (P<0.05) at 24 h of the study when compared to the control. The increase in faecal cholesterol with increase in extract dose was significant (P<0.005) at 24 h when compared to the control. The results show that the aqueous fruit extract of the plant may be capable of reducing circulating lipids in triton-induced hyperlipidaemic rats probably by reducing absorption of lipids, thus reducing hyperlipidaemia.

Key words: Solanum macrocarpum, faecal cholesterol, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol.