Antiatherogenic and Antiobesity Effects of Aqueous Stem Bark Extract of <I>Grewia mollis Juss (Malvaceae)</I>: http://www.doi.org/10.26538/tjnpr/v7i9.39

Adarki W. Pongri; Ighodaro Igbe; Enitome E. Bafor

Authors

Adarki W. Pongri Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
Ighodaro Igbe Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
Enitome E. Bafor Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria

Keywords:

obesity, hyperlipidemia, atherogenic, Grewia mollis

Abstract

Grewia mollis Juss (Malvaceae) commonly described as “Dargaza” is a shrub, popularly used in folk medicine to treat obesity, diarrhoea and to ease childbirth. However, there are no established reports on its antiobesity activity in literature, hence, the aim of the study was to evaluate the antihyperlipidemic and antiobesity effects of Grewia mollis (GM) in rodents. Hyperlipidemia was induced by 200 mg/kg of triton WR-1339 and the rats were orally pretreated with extract (150-600 mg/kg) and atorvastatin (25 mg/kg) for 3 days. Obesity was induced with dietary cholesterol (600 mg/kg) for 10 weeks and rats were orally treated with extract (150-600 mg/kg). The effects of the extract on body weight, total food consumption, relative organ weight, Lee index, lipid profile, atherogenic index, coronary risk index and histopathological indices were evaluated. Preliminary phytochemical screening showed presence tannins, saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids and steroidal nucleus. The extract significantly (p<0.05) decreased total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, atherogenic index, coronary risk index in hyperlipidemic rats. In the obese rat, there was significant p<0.05) decrease in relative liver weight, body weight, Lee index, triglycerides, VLDL. Atherosclerotic changes in the coronary artery and aorta were ameliorated by the extract. The reduction in lipid profile and amelioration of atherosclerotic lesions indicate a possible anti-atherogenic property. These effects appear to be mediated via inhibition de novo triglyceride and cholesterol
biosynthesis. The extract shows therapeutic promise in the management of obesity, hyperlipidemia and in the prevention of atherosclerosis.

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