Possible Ameliorative and Preventive Effect of Leaf Extract of Andrographis paniculata on Atherosclerosis: An Experience with Isoproterenol Induced Wistar Rats

Atherosclerosis has been regarded as one of the leading causes of death in modern-day man worldwide. The use of medicinal plants especially Andrographis paniculata in the treatment of chronic diseases, particularly atherosclerotic disorder is becoming popular. This study aimed to evaluate the possible ameliorative and preventive effect of leaf extract of Andrographis paniculata on atherosclerosis in isoproterenol-induced Wistar rats. Thirty animals were randomly divided into five groups (A-E) of six animals per group, per cage. Groups A, B and C served as the treatment groups and were orally pre-treated with 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight extract of A. paniculata for fourteen days, group D served as the positive control group and was administered 10 mg atorvastatin while group E served as the negative control and was administered distilled water. On the fifteenth and sixteenth day, 150 mg/kg isoproterenol was administered intraperitoneal at 24 h intervals to all the animals and were subsequently sacrificed. The sera obtained were used for a bioassay study. Analysis of serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) were carried out using standard methods. The result obtained revealed a significant decrease (p>0.05) in the serum total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL in the extract treated groups in a dose dependent manner when compared with the untreated control while there was a significant increase in the serum HDL level of extract treated group compared to the untreated control; thereby supporting the protective effect of A. paniculata against atherosclerotic disorder.