Evaluation of the anti-hyperlipidemic activity of the aqueous root extract of Elaeis guineensis, Jacq (Arecaceae).

Elaeis guineensis- Jacq (Arecaceae) is reported for the treatment of a variety of ailments notable amongst these are diabetes and hyperlipidemia. The present study is aimed at evaluating its anti-hyperlipedemic effect, via olive oil induced hyperlipidemia.The aqueous extract was obtained from a decoction of the roots, and later administered to olive oil loaded rats (5 ml/kg). Administration of 250 and 500 mg/kg of the extract was done 30 min before olive oil administration. Distilled water was used as control, while atorvastatin (50 mg/kg) was the standard drug. All administrations were done orally. Blood samples were withdrawn via the abdominal aorta 2 and 4 h after olive oil administration and centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 15 to 20 min. The plasma samples obtained were subjected to biochemical analysis for HDL, LDL, triglycerides and total cholesterol. Acute treatment with the extract points to a significant (p<0.05) reduction in total cholesterol by (35.86 and 56.32%), LDL (61.27 and 20%) and triglycerides (53.87 and 71.23%) by 250 mg/kg at the 2 nd and 4 th h respectively. At the 500 mg/kg dose, a significant reduction (p<0.05) was also obtained in TC by (36.88 and 34.84%), TG (69.51 and 51.77%) and LDL (66.19 and 50%) at the 2 nd and 4 th h respectively. While a significant increase (p<0.0001) at both doses of the extract was noted for the HDL by (295.29 and 6.72% for 250; 309.33 and 43.21% for 500 mg/kg) at 2 nd and 4 th h respectively. The effect of the extract was noted to be more pronounced in the 2 nd h in comparison with the 4 th h. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, and steroids. The plant possesses hypolipidemic effect, considering the increase and decrease in HDL and LDL respectively and thus a useful remedy for hyperlipdemia Keywords: High Density Lipoprotein, Low Density Lipoprotein, Triglycerides, Total cholesterol, Olive oil