Biochemistry & Analytical Biochemistry

Abstract

Effects of Some Selected Solvent Extracts of Avocado Pear (Persea americana) on Cholesterol/HDL Ratio in Albino Rats

Olagunju HT, Oruambo IF, Oyelowo HO and Obediah GA

The effects of some selected solvents extracts of Avocado Pear (Persea americana) on Cholesterol/HDL ratio of albino rats was investigated. The avocado fruit was dried at room temperature and was extracted with ethanol and N-hexane using soxhlet extractor. The phytochemical screening of ethanol, aqueous and N-hexane extracts reveals the presence of Alkaloid, Tannin, Phytate, Phenol, Oxalate, Steroid, Saponin and Glycoside. The quantitative analysis shows that Alkaloid; Aqueous Extract 0.96%, Ethanol 1.37%, N-hexane 1.81%, Phytate; Aqueous Extract 0.68%, Ethanol 1.47%, N-hexane 0.88%, Saponin; Aqueous Extract 1.28%, Ethanol 0.76%, N-hexane 1.06%, Phenol; Aqueous Extract 2.75%, Ethanol 2.43%, N-hexane 1.14%, Oxalate; Aqueous Extract 3.36%, Ethanol 2.81%, N-hexane 2.53%, Tannin; Aqueous Extract 0.69%, Ethanol 1.36%, N-hexane 0.72%, Steroid; Aqueous Extract 1.66%, Ethanol 2.04%, N-hexane 2.58%, Glycoside; Aqueous Extract 0.14%, Ethanol 0.52%, N-hexane 0.39%. Eighteen male albino rats were divided into three groups of which six rats per group; the first group were given ethanol extracts while the control receive ethanol, the second group were given N-hexane extracts while the control receive N-hexane and the third group were given aqueous extract while the untreated were feed ad libitum which serve as the control. A lipid profile test was carried out in the serum of albino rats in which the values of HDL, TRIG, LDL, CHOL and VLDL was recorded. The TC/HDL ratio was calculated by dividing Cholesterol with HDL and was plotted on a bar chart. Aqueous extract of avocado has the highest concentration in oxalate and phenol compared to ethanol and N-hexane extracts. The Total Cholesterol/HDL Ratio of untreated albino rats feed ad libitum has a ratio of 5.468 which is a high risk heart disease. Albino rats fed with aqueous extract has a ratio of 4.615 while ethanol extracts has a ratio of 4.623, they both fell in a low risk heart disease. N-hexane extract has a ratio of 3.553 which falls below average for heart disease. In conclusion, the result obtained from phytochemical concentration shows that oxalate and phenol has the highest percentage in all the solvent extracts of avocado. The cardiovascular disease marker on TC/HDL Ratio of male albino rats fed with aqueous and ethanol extracts fell within the low risk acceptable range while N-hexane extracts fell in very low average risk for CVD. The result shows that Avocado (Persea americana) reduces TC/HDL Ratio as well as boosting the “good cholesterol” (HDL) which is good for cardiovascular health.