Effects of chloroform extract of Artemisia maciverae Linn on blood cholesterol levels and pathological lesions in the heart of rats

ABSTRACT: The effect of chloroform extract of Artemisia maciverae Linn was studied in male Swiss albino rats. The rats were randomly distributed into four groups of 24 animals each. Group 1, the normal control was administered 0.3% Tween 80 solution. Groups 2 to 4 rats were administered chloroform extract of Artemisia maciverae at 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight (b.wt) respectively for 60 days (for those that survived) and monitored until day 90 when they were sacrifice. The blood cholesterol levels of the rats were determined. The hearts were subjected to gross and histopathological examination. At the onset of treatment (week one), the mean (+ SD) serum cholesterol levels in the control, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg treatment groups were 53.2+2.20, 78.5+6.40, 83.3+2.30 and 92.5+13.80 mg/kg respectively. A statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed in the cholesterol levels in the treated animals compared to the untreated controls at the onset of treatment. By day 90 (week 12), the cholesterol levels in the groups with the exception of 200mg/kg group were 42.2+3.20, 54.8+1.40 and 61.3+0.00 mg/kg in control, 50 and 100 mg/kg groups respectively. However, no gross and histopathological lesions were observed in the heart of rats in all groups. It is therefore concluded that the plant extract is associated with hypercholesterolemia in high doses.