Biochemical evaluation on amelioration of oxidative stress and cardiovascular risk markers in hyperlipidemic rats treated with Kalanchoe pinnata aqueous extract

Abstract. Odinga-Israel TB, Lemii BC, Gabriel-Brisibe CU, Daka IR, Enebeli SK, Austin-Asomeji I, Ucheawaji F, Nodi CC. 2024. Biochemical evaluation on amelioration of oxidative stress and cardiovascular risk markers in hyperlipidemic rats treated with Kalanchoe pinnata aqueous extract. Asian J Nat Prod Biochem 22: 98-105. The continuous use of plants as a raw material for medicines has gained wide acceptance due to their pharmacological bioactive compounds. Metabolic disorders such as hyperlipidemia could result in cardiovascular diseases. This study evaluated the effect of the aqueous extract of Kalanchoe pinnata (Lam.) Pers. on the antioxidant, lipid profile, and clinical indices in hyperlipidemic female albino rats. The female albino rats were induced with hyperlipidemia using a high-fat diet mixture consisting of 68% powdered rat feed (standard rat chow pellet), 20% instant milk powder (peak milk), 6% corn oil (Mazola), and 6% ghee. Thirty female albino rats were grouped into 5, with 6 rats in each group. Group 1 served as normal control, group 2 was positive control, and group 3 was negative control, while groups 4 and 5 were administered 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg aqueous K. pinnata extract for 21 days. The body weight of the rats was recorded after 21 days. The rats were then sacrificed, and blood samples were collected to determine the antioxidant status, lipid profile, troponin, CK, and myoglobin levels of the rats using standard laboratory procedures. K. pinnata extract showed significant antioxidant and antihyperlipidemic activities, with the most at 400 mg/kg, evidenced by a decrease in the TC, TG, and LDLC serum levels with a corresponding increase in the HDLC serum level for anti-hyperlipidemia. An increase in the GSH, GST, GPx, catalase, and SOD levels was observed with a corresponding decrease in MDA serum levels in the experimental rats. Although myoglobin, troponin, and CK are not acutely evaluated for myocardial infarction, they can be used for deduction on biochemical disorders. The serum concentrations of myoglobin, CK, and troponin were decreased on administration of K. pinnata when compared to the control groups. The findings of this study suggest that K. pinnata could be used as a raw material for the medicinal treatment of cardiovascular diseases and as an antioxidant source.