Hypolipidemic potentials of aqueous leaf extract of cape fig (Ficus capensis thunb) in high fat diet-induced hyperlipidemic rats

Nature has been a source of medicinal agents for thousands of years and an impressive number of modern drugs have been isolated from natural sources, mainly based on their use in traditional medicines. The study was carried out to evaluate the hypolipidemic potentials of Ficus capensis thunb in high fat diet-induced hyperlipidemic rats. Twenty-five (25) Wistar rats were used for this study and were grouped into five groups consisting of five animals. Hyperlipidemia was induced by feeding the rats with high fat diet for a period of four (4) weeks. The results from the phytochemical analysis of the plant revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, protein, xanthroprotein, anthraquinones, alkaloids, phenolic compound, flavonoids and cardiac glycosides. After a period of four weeks of feeding, hyperlipidemia was established judging from significant increase (p˂0.05) in serum levels of TC-C, LDL-C and TG with a concomitant decrease in serum HDL levels as compared to normal rats. Treatment with aqueous leaf extract of Ficus capensis at a doses of 200, 400 mg/kg b.w and also with simvastatin at a dose of 10 mg/kg b.w orally for 28 day significantly (p˂0.05) decreased the serum levels of TC, TG and LDL accompanied by an increase in serum level of HDL as compared with those of the hyperlipidemic group. The liver tissues of hyperlipidemic group were characterized by fat accumulation, vascular congestion, cords disorder, and infiltration of inflammatory cells. Aqueous leaf extract of Ficus capensis mitigated both the elevated serum lipid and histological abnormalities.