Protective Effects of Kleinhovia Hospita Leaf Extract against Triton X-100-Induced Hypercholesterolemia in Rats

Kleinhovia hospita leaves have traditionally been used as herbal medicine to lower the blood cholesterol levels. However, scientific data about the antihypercholesterolemic properties of this plant are still lacking. This study was conducted to investigate the protective effects of K. hospita leaf extract against hypercholesterolemia induced by Triton X-100 in rats.

Twenty-four male Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned to four groups of six each. The treatment groups received K. hospita leaf extract at either 250 or 500mg/kg dosage for seven days. Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (NaCMC, 0.5%) was given to the placebo group. This treatment was then followed by Triton X-100 administration at 400mg/kg orally on day-8 to induce hypercholesterolemia. Normal controls did not receive Triton X-100. After 48 hours, blood samples were collected and the rats’ livers were dissected. The serum biomarkers were analyzed, including blood lipids and liver enzymes. The liver specimens were weighed to determine changes in the organ relative to the weight.

Triton X-100 significantly increased the levels of total cholesterol (TC) and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), but did not significantly elevate the triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL), or serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) levels. The administration of K. hospita leaf extract for seven days as a pretreatment, followed by Triton X-100, reduced the levels of TC and SGOT at 250 or 500 mg/kg.

The K. hospita leaf extract at 250 and 500 mg/kg protected against hypercholesterolemia and high SGOT levels in rats that had been treated with Triton X-100.