Effect of Methanolic Extract of Ficus trigonata Leaves on Lipid Profile and Liver Function Indices in Plasmodium berghei Infected Mice

Abstract

The research was designed to evaluate the effect of methanolic extract of
Ficus trigonata leaves on lipid profile and liver function indices in
Plasmodium berghei infected mice. The extract was prepared by maceration
and tested for antioxidant activity using Diphenyl-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) and
Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assays. Thirty-six (36) mice were
used for the study. The extract was administered orally at doses of 100, 200
and 300 mg/kg to infected mice for four days and compared to standard
drug chloroquine and normal saline controls. Lipid profile and liver function
indices were determined using standard methods. The results showed that
the extract exhibited concentration-dependent antioxidant activity in both
DPPH and FRAP assays, with an IC50 values of 0.49 and 0.37 mg/mL,
respectively. The elevated levels of Triglycerides and Total cholesterol were
significantly (P<0.05) reduced by the extract compared to negative control.
The extract significantly (P<0.05) reduced Low Density Lipoprotein
cholesterol levels from 93.00 ±2.00 mg/dL in negative controls to 81.33 ±
4.67 mg/dL, 90.33 ± 2.91 mg/dL, and 89.00 ± 3.06 mg/dL in the 100, 200
and 300 mg/kg extract treatment groups respectively. The elevated level of
High Density Lipoprotein from 60.33 ± 2.96 mg/dL in naïve mice was also
significantly (P<0.05) reduced in the treatment groups. The increased levels
of Aspartate Transaminase, Alanine Transaminase, and Alkaline
Phosphatase observed in negative control were also significantly (P<0.05)
reduced by the extract. The research clearly established the potential of
methanolic extract of Ficus trigonata leaves to ameliorate malaria-induced
dyslipidaemia and hepatotoxicity.