Evaluation of Lipid Profile Indices of Formalin-Induced Wistar Rats Treated With Alstonia Boonei Extracts

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the lipid profile indices of the Wistar rats administered with various doses of A. boonei (leaf, stem bark and root bark) after induction of inflammation using formalin. Methods: A total of 90 male Wistar rats were used for this study. The animals were divided into 6 primary groups, each consisting of 12 subgroups, with 5 rats allocated to each subgroup. For three weeks, the rats were maintained on designated feeding regimens before being humanely sacrificed. Blood samples were then obtained from the abdominal aorta and directly from the heart using a 5 mL syringe and collected into plain tubes. Standard laboratory protocols were followed to analyze the required biochemical parameters. Results: The results of this study revealed that the leaf extract notably lowered total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels at a dosage of 600 mg/kg when compared to the negative control group, indicating a pronounced lipid-lowering (hypolipidemic) effect. However, levels of triglycerides (TRG) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were not significantly altered. Likewise, the stem extract produced a marked decrease in TC and LDL concentrations at both 300 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg doses, highlighting its effectiveness in reducing harmful cholesterol components. Triglyceride and HDL values, however, showed no meaningful statistical difference. The root extract also exhibited a significant reduction in TC and LDL, particularly at 150 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg, but did not cause any notable changes in TRG or HDL levels. Conclusion: In conclusion, these results support the traditional use of A. boonei in managing cardiovascular risks and lipid disorders and highlight its potential as a natural therapeutic agent for lowering harmful cholesterol components. Further studies are recommended to elucidate the mechanisms involved and assess long-term safety and efficacy.