The current study investigates the antihyperhomocysteinemic and antihyperlipidemic effect of chloroform and methanol extracts of the leaves of Trichilia connaroides in methionine-induced hyperhomocysteinemic rats. Hyperhomocysteinemia was induced in albino Wistar rats by oral administration of L-Methionine (1 gm / kg) and they were treated simultaneously with chloroform and methanol extracts (100 mg / kg) from the leaves of Trichilia connaroides. Serum homocysteine, lipid profile, and products of lipid peroxidation (MDA) in the heart homogenate were recorded and treated for statistical significance. Hyperhomocysteinemic animals recorded significantly elevated serum homocysteine changes in lipid profile (P < 0.01) and Thibarbituric acid reactive substances (P < 0.01), compared to the vehicle control animals. Animals treated with chloroform and methanol extracts recorded significantly (P < 0.01) lower serum homocysteine, entire lipid profile, LPO (P < 0.01), except a significant increase in HDL-cholesterol (P < 0.01) compared to hyperhomocysteinemic animals. Thus, we conclude that chloroform and methanol extracts of Trichilia connaroides have significant antihyperhomocysteinemic and antihyperlipidemic effects on methionine-induced hyperhomocysteinemic animals. Trichilia connaroides, therefore, holds promise as a cardioprotective herb.
Keywords: Hyperhomocysteinemia; Methionine-induced hyperhomocysteinemia; Trichilia connaroides.