Abstract

The comparative analyses on the effects of ethanol leaf-extracts of Vernonia amygdalina and Azadirachta indica on lipid profile were conducted using albino rats. The albino rats were grouped into seven (A, B, C, D, E, F and G) containing ten rats per group. Groups A, B, and C were administered Vernonia amygdalina extract by oral intubation at the doses of 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg body weights respectively for two weeks with corresponding doses of the extract of Azadirachta indica administered to groups D, E and F. Animals in group G served as the control. The serum levels (mg/dl) of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triacylglycerol were studied spectrophotometrically. Total cholesterol, triacylglycerol and LDL-cholesterol levels were significantly (p<0.05) reduced by both extracts while HDL-cholesterol levels were increased significantly. There were dose-dependent reductions in the body weights of all the animals that received the extracts. The results showed that the leaf-extract of Vernonia amygdalina was more effective as a cardioprotective agent than that of Azadirachta indica. Keywords: Ethanol leaf-extracts, Vernonia amygdalina, Azadirachta indica, lipid profile and albino rats.