Hypolipidaemic Effects of Red Sorrel (Hibiscus sapdarifa and Hibiscus cannabinus) Leave Extract on Experimental Rabbits.

Abstract

The hypolipidaemic effects of red sorrel (H. sapdarifa and H. cannabinus) has been studied in experimental rabbits. Four groups of two (2) rabbits each used. Group I received 0.2g/kg body weight of H. sapdarifa orally, group II received 0.2g/kg body weight of H. cannabinus orally. Group III received mixture of. H. sapdarifa and H cannabinus extracts (ratio 1:1 v/v) orally and the fourth group (IV) received water and serve as control. These rabbits were sacrificed 24hrs after last treatment. Serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol were assayed by standard procedure. H. Sapdarifa treated rabbits had lowers serum triglyceride, total cholesterol,HDL and LDL cholesterol levels. The H. cannabinus treated rabbits also show decreased level of these parameters, but less than the H. sapdarifa group. H sapdarifa and H. cannabinus mixture group had higher levels of the parameter, but less than the control group. Effects of H. sapdarifa and H. cannabinus separately was significantly (p<0.05). The result shows that H. sapdarifa and H. cannabinus have apparent hypolipidaemic effects on rabbits. Keywords: Hibiscus sapdarifa, Hibiscus cannabinus, triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol.