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HYPOLIPIDEMIC SCREENING OF Urena lobata LEAF METHANOLIC EXTRACT IN LEAD-INDUCED HYPERLIPIDEMIC MALE SWISS WISTAR RATS

Authored By: Ogbonnaya F. C. , Ogunbiyi, B. T., Amah G. H.

Article Number: 1758905040

Received Date: August 26th 2025 Published Date: September 26th 2025

Copyright © 2020 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with hyperlipidemia being a major predisposing factor. Exposure to heavy metals, such as lead (Pb), has been implicated in the exacerbation of hyperlipidemia. Despite the ethnopharmacological use of Urena lobata in treating various ailments, its potential effects on heavy metal-induced hyperlipidemia have not been thoroughly investigated. This study evaluated the lipid-modulating effects of methanolic leaf extract of Urena lobata (ULLME) in lead-induced hyperlipidemic male rats. Leaves of Urena lobata were collected, authenticated, processed, extracted with 70% methanol-water mixed solvent, concentrated and re-constituted. Thirty male Wistar rats were divided into five groups (n=6): normal control, lead-induced (60 mg/kg lead acetate, intraperitoneally), and three respective treatment groups that received 100, 300, and 500 mg/kg ULLME orally daily after induction for ten days. The animals were assessed for serum lipid profile on the eleventh day. Data obtained were expressed as Mean ± SEM and analyzed by one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc test (p < 0.05). Lead exposure significantly increased triglycerides and total cholesterol (TC) levels and decreased high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), indicating hyperlipidemia. Treatment with ULLME at doses of 100, 300, and 500 mg/kg significantly reduced both serum triglycerides (from 185±17.02 mg/dL in untreated to 85.44±17.03, 130.67±11.5, and 135.69±14.07 mg/dL in the groups treated with 100, 300 and 500 mg/kg.bw, respectively) and serum TC levels. Notably, only the 500 mg/kg.bw dose significantly increased HDL-C (from 285±17.07 mg/dL to 400.19±11.81 mg/dL). Low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was significantly lowered with 500 mg/kg.bw dose (102.63±12.75 mg/dL) but showed no significant change at lower doses. Urena lobata methanolic leaf extract demonstrated dose-dependent LDL-C-lowering and HDL-raising effects in lead-induced hyperlipidemic rats. The extract is a potential therapeutic agent in managing heavy lead-induced hyperlipidemia. Further studies should elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying thetherapeutic effects observed.

Ogunbiyi, B. T., Ogbonnaya, F. C., Amah, G. H. (2025). Hypolipidemic screening of urena lobata leaf methanolic extract in lead-induced hyperlipidemic male swiss wistar rats. Journal of Science, Technology, and Education (JSTE); www.nsukjste.com/ 9(17), 224-235

Ogbonnaya F. C.
Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic Sciences, Benjamin S Carson (Snr.) College of Health and Medical Sciences, Babcock Univesity, Ilishan-Remo Ogun State.
Ogunbiyi, B. T.
Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic Sciences, Benjamin S Carson (Snr.) College of Health and Medical Sciences, Babcock Univesity, Ilishan-Remo Ogun State.
Amah G. H.
Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Babcock University, Ilisan-Remo, Nigeria