Hypocholesterolaemic Effect of Aqueous Extract of Acalypha wilkesiana 'Godseffiana' Muell Arg on Rats Fed Egg Yolk Supplemented Diet:Implications for Cardiovascular Risk Management

The effect of aqueous extract of Acalypha wilkesiana on the mean daily weight gain, lipid profile and atherogenic indices of rats fed egg yolk supplemented diets was investigated. The control group was given normal feed while other three groups received 50g egg yolk/kg feed. The extract was orally administered daily at 200 and 250mg/kg body weight; while the test control and control groups received appropriate volumes of water by the same route. The mean daily weight gain of the test groups were each significantly lower than the control, but not significantly different from the test control. The plasma total, LDL and non-HDL cholesterol levels of the test groups were each significantly less than the control and test control. The cardiac risk ratio and atherogenic coefficient of the test groups were each significantly (P<0.05) lower than those of the test control, but not different from the control. These results indicate a hypocholesterolaemic effect of the extract, thus suggesting a likely protective role of the extract against the development of cardiovascular diseases.