Hypolipidemic Propensity of Ethanolic Extract of Xylopia

ABSTRACT  Aim:  This  study  is  aimed  at  assessing  the  effect  of  Xylopia  aethiopica  fruit  on  the  lipid  profile  of Wistar rats. Methodology: The fruits of Xylopia aethiopica were obtained from new market in Aba, Abia State, Nigeria  and  were  authenticated.  They  were  air-dried  and  extracted  using  Soxhlet  apparatus  and ethanol  as  solvent.  The  median  lethal  dose  (LD50)  of  the  extract  was determined  using  standard method. Thirty Wistar rats were used for this study. They were acclimatized for seven days, weighed and divided into five groups of six rats each. Animals in group  A were administered 129.62 mg/kg body weight (10% of LD50) of X. aethiopica fruit extract, those in group B were administered 259.23 mg/kg body weight (20% of LD50) of X. aethiopica fruit extract, those in group C were administered 388.85  mg/kg  body  weight  (30%  of  LD50)  of  X.  aethiopica  fruit  extract,  those  in  group  D  were administered 518.46 mg/kg body weight (40% of LD50) of X. aethiopica fruit extract, while those in group E (control) received normal feeds and water only. The administration was done once daily for   28  days  via  oral  route.  At  the  end  of  28  days  treatment,  animals  were  weighed  and  weights recorded,  and  were  sacrificed  under  ether  anaesthesia  after  an  overnight  fast.  Lipid  profile  was determined using standard methods. Results:  The  physical  signs  of  toxicity  observed  in  the  animals  included  excitation,  paw  licking, increased  respiratory  rate,  decreased  motor  activity,  gasping  and  coma  which  was  followed  by death. A significant (P