Effects of methanolic fruit extract of Solanum macrocarpum L. (Solanaceae) on biochemical profile of albino rats (Rattus norvegicus)

The effects of methanolic fruit extract of Solanum macrocarpum on the biochemical parameters of normal albino rats were investigated for 21 days. Forty-eight (48) adult male albino rats were divided into a control group (A) and three treatment groups (B, C and D) of 12 rats each. Each group was further divided into three replicates of four rats each. Groups B, C and D received daily oral administration of the extract at doses of 400, 800 and 1600 mg/kg of body weight (bw), respectively, while the control group received distilled water for 21 days. Blood samples were collected before the start of experimentation (week 0) and thereafter at weekly intervals from one rat per replicate. Biochemical parameters of the blood samples were determined using bioassay. All the treatment groups showed a progressive significant reduction in serum total cholesterol levels from week 0 to week 3. Similarly, there was significant decrease (p < 0.05) in very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol and triglyceride serum levels of the treatment groups in week 3. The treatment doses generally showed a non-significant decrease (p > 0.05) in aspartate transaminase (AST), a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in alanine transaminase (ALT) levels and non-significant increase (p > 0.05) in bilirubin. There was non-significant decrease in albumin levels of the treated rats across weeks, while total protein showed a non-significant increase. The urea and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels of the treated rats showed an overall non-significant (p > 0.05) increase. This study suggests that methanolic fruit extract of S. macrocarpum may be useful in reducing serum cholesterol levels.