Treatment of hypercholesterolemia: screening of Solanum macrocarpon Linn (Solanaceae) as a medicinal plant in Benin

• Published in: Avicenna journal of phytomedicine Vol. 4; no. 3; pp. 160 - 169
• Main Authors: Dougnon, Tamègnon Victorien, Bankolé, Honoré Sourou, Klotoé, Jean Robert, Sènou, Maximin, Fah, Lauris, Koudokpon, Hornel, Akpovi, Casimir, Dougnon, Tossou Jacques, Addo, Phyllis, Loko, Frédéric, Boko, Michel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Iran Mashhad University of Medical Sciences 01.05.2014
• Subjects: Cholesterolemia; Feeding; Original Research Paper; Regulation; Solanum macrocarpon; Wistar rats; Wistar rats; Regulation; Cholesterolemia; Solanum macrocarpon; Feeding
• ISSN: 2228-7930; 2228-7949

Hypercholesterolemia is the greatest risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. The present study is conducted to evaluate the lipid lowering activity of leaves and fruits of Solanum macrocarpon, a vegetable, on Wistar rats experimentally rendered hypercholesterolemic by Triton X-100. The leaves and fruits were administered (p.o.) for 7 days to rats at doses of 400 and 800 mg/kg of body weight. Atorvastatin was used as reference treatment drug. The data were analyzed by the Brown-Forsythe ANOVA, Dunnett's T3 multiple comparison test, and Dunnett's t test. All tests were done at the 5% significance level. Administration of S. macrocarpon (fruits as well as leaves) resulted in a statistically significant decrease in total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides in the treated groups compared with the untreated hypercholesterolemic group, regardless of the administrated doses. A significant increase in HDL-cholesterol was observed in the treated groups. Hepatic disorders due to the Triton have been corrected by S. macrocarpon. This vegetable effectively suppresses experimental hypercholesterolemia in Wistar rats, suggesting a protective role in cardiovascular diseases. Its use by individuals at risk should be promoted.