Hypocholesterolemic and Protective Effects of Aqueous Extract of Moringa oleifera on High Fat Diet-Induced Cardiovascular Lesions in Rats

Abstract

This study came up as result of the contraindications of the synthetic hypolidemic drugs which have created lacunae in the treatment of hyperlidemia. In order to study the relationship between the plasma cholesterol level and the degrees of aortic lesions, twenty five adult rats were divided into five groups of five animals each. The animals in group A were given normal feed and 1ml distilled water daily for a period of 12 weeks. Groups B and C received fat high diet (30 % w/w of the total rat cow) and aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera  respectively  at doses of 200 mg/kg body weight for a duration of 12 weeks . Groups D received aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera at doses of 200 mg/kg body weight and fat high diet simultaneously for a period of 12 weeks whereas groups E received fat high diet for a period of six weeks and thereafter treated with aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera at doses of 200 mg/kg body weight for a period of six weeks. Administration of high fat diet to rats for the aforementioned period caused significant (p˂0.05) increase. Histological examination of the abdominal aorta and heart reveal that the surface of the intima of the rats that were fed with high fat diet were characterized with migration of smooth muscle cells, congestion, infiltration of macrophases, foam cells appearance and lamellar calcification. Other pathohistological features that were observed include fibro fatty tissues, narrowing in the lumen, focal and vacuolated cell. Supplementation of Moringa oleifera leaves extract reversed the elevation in body weight, serum total cholesterol and aortic lesions. Moringa oleifera can be useful in the management of obesity, hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis.