Abstract

* Nwaoguikpe. R . N and Braide. W

The research work focused on the effect of aqueous extract of the seed of Persea americana (Avocado) on the cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoproteins levels in the blood of rabbits. A total of thirty rabbits were used of ten in each of groups A, B and C. Group A served as control. The test groups (B and C) were fed ad libitum with starter finish before and after administration of the extracts (w/w) by intubation. Two concentrations of the extracts of 100mg/kg body weight and 200mg/kg bodyweight were administered to groups B and C animals respectively. After two months of feeding, the animals were sacrificed and their serum samples used for the various determinations.. Results showed that for cholesterol, the mean cholesterol levels for the control group A and test groups B and C were: 1.54±0.07, 1.30±0.06 and 0.93±0.03 mmol/L respectively. The triglyceride concentrations were as follows: 1.69±0.03, 0.96±0.1 and 0.65±0.02 mmol/L. For the low density lipoprotein (LDL), the values were: 0.84±012, 0.81±0.02and 0.72±0.01mmol/L.The total lipid concentrations were as follows: 4.01±0.01, 2.62±0.00 and 2.40±0.01mmol/L.Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of the following and values expressed in percentage (%): tannins 21.66±0.0, saponins 51.0±0.0,flavonoids 21.0±0.0, alkaloids 9.43±0.2 and cyanogens glycosides 4.86±0.10 mg . The result of this work shows that the extract of the seed of Persea americana reduced the cholesterol, triglyceride, the LDL cholesterol and the total lipid levels significantly in the sera of the test animal and the effect of the extract was concentration dependent. Moreover, this seed often thrown away as waste, may prove to be an effective remedy for the management of atherosclerosis, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia and other abnormalities of lipid metabolism in humans. The extract of Persea americana could be of immense therapeutic relevance in the management of hypertension and other cardiovascular episodes.