Anti-hyperlipidemic and biochemical effect of extract of Tulbaghia violacea rhizomes on high cholesterol diet fed rats

Anti-hyperlipidemic and biochemical effect of methanolic extract of Tulbaghia violacea rhizomes were investigated in cholesterol rich diet induced hypercholesterolemia Wistar albino rats. Hypercholesterolemia was induced in rats by feeding with 2% cholesterol rich diet (high cholesterol diet, HCD) for four weeks. Some biochemical parameters and histology of the liver were assessed following 28 days oral treatment. Co-administration of extract of T. violacea rhizomes at 250 and 500 mg/kg respectively, significantly (p<0.05) protected against hypercholesterolemia induced alanine amino transferase (ALT) alterations in activities of serum aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), gamma glutamyl transferase (γGT), total cholesterol, triglycerides, albumin and total protein in a dose dependent manner. The extract also caused significant (p<0.05) increase in high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level. Anti-cholesterolemic and hepatoprotective effect of the extract at both doses were comparable and similar to that of the standard treatment of atorvastatin (30 mg/kg body weight). Histological examination of the liver showed that the extract markedly protected against hypercholesterolemia induced micro vesicular steatosis. This study suggests that T. violacea rhizome extract may protect against hypercholesterolemic induced diseases and this may account for its folklore usage.Keywords: Anti-hyperlipidemic, Tulbaghia violacea rhizome, biochemical, lipid profil

Acute and sub-chronic toxicity studies of methanolic extract of Tulbaghia violacea rhizomes in Wistar rats

The methanolic extract of the rhizome of Tulbaghia violacea (RTV) was tested for toxicity in albino Wistar rats. A single oral administration of a 5 g/kg dosage of RTV extract did not produce mortality or significant behavioral changes during 14 days of observation. In the sub-chronic study, the extract administered daily for a period of 28 days showed no mortality or morbidity and the relative weights of organs were not affected by the treatment. However, significant weight gain in both treated and control group was observed. Indicators of liver damage such as alanine amino transferase (ALT) and aspartate amino transferase (AST), as well as total serum protein and albumin showed no significant alteration in the extract treated animals when compared with the controls at all doses used. The extracts caused a significant (p<0.05) decrease in the activity of gamma glutamy transferase (ƔGT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) when compared with the control. However, the extract did not have any significant effect on markers of kidney function or hematological parameters in the rats, except in the female rats where a significant increase (p<0.05) in lymphocytes counts at 500 mg/kg was observed. Histopathological examination of the liver revealed no detectable inflammation. These results suggest that the rhizomes of T. violacea may be potentially safe for consumption.Keywords: Tulbaghia violacea, rhizomes, acute toxicity, subchronic toxicit