EFFECTS OF AQUEOUS EXTRACTS OF EMILIA SONCHIFOLIA AND BRIDELIA FERRUGINEA LEAVES, AND RHIZOPHORA RACEMOSA STEM BARK ON LIPID PROFILE OF WISTAR RATS EXPOSED TO PETROL FUMES
Chukwuma Samuel Anakwe*, Okunima Ambrose, Joffa Price Paul Kwaku, The Prophet Prohp
ABSTRACT
Background: Prolonged inhalation of petrol fumes is a significant occupational and environmental health hazard,
associated with oxidative stress and dyslipidemia, which increase cardiovascular risk. The aim of this work was to
evaluate the protective capacity of aqueous extracts derived from Emilia sonchifolia leaves, Bridelia
ferruginea leaves and Rhizophora racemosa stem bark against alterations in the lipid profile of Wistar rats
exposed to petrol fume exposure. Methods: The fifty-four male Wistar rats were randomly allocated to nine
experimental groups (6 per group). A normal control group received distilled water. The remaining groups were
exposed to petrol fumes (4 hours daily for 28 days) and treated orally with either distilled water (positive control),
Vitamin E (200 mg/kg, standard antioxidant), or one of the plant extracts at 200 mg/kg or 400 mg/kg doses. Blood
was collected periodically for analysis of serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL and LDL levels.
Results: Exposure to petrol fumes induced significant dyslipidemic condition, marked by increased in total
cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL levels, coupled with a decrease in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels,
alongside a reduction in HDL. Treatment with all three plant extracts, particularly at the 400 mg/kg dose,
significantly reversed these alterations in a dose-dependent manner. The restorative effects of the extracts were
comparable to, and in some cases superior to, those of Vitamin E, effectively normalizing the lipid profile
parameters towards levels observed in the unexposed control group. Conclusion: The aqueous extracts of Emilia
sonchifolia, Bridelia ferruginea, and Rhizophora racemosa demonstrated potent protective effects against petrol
fume-induced dyslipidemia. This activity is likely mediated by their rich phytochemical constituents, which
mitigate oxidative stress and restore lipid homeostasis. These findings suggest that these plants are promising
candidates for developing natural therapies to counteract the adverse metabolic effects of hydrocarbon exposure.
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