Onuoha OU, Osuocha KU, Chukwu EC
Acanthus montanus leaves in the eastern part of Nigeria has been used in treatment diseases. This work was designed to evaluate phytochemical constituents, hypolipidemic, hematological and body weight effects of Acanthus montanus extracts in male and female albino rats. GC-MS analysis showed eleven bioactive compounds. Ninety (90) albino rats of 45 male and 45 female rats were used for the study, divided into eighteen groups of five rats. Alphabets and figures were used to identify the male and female rats. Groups A and 1 received normal rat chow, Groups B and 2, C and 3 , D and 4, E and 5 received 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, 600 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg of aqueous extract of A. montanus leaves while groups F and 6, G and 7, H and 8, I and 9 received 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg , 600 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg of methanol extract of A. montanus. Results showed significant (P<0.05) decrease in HDL, TG and cholesterol while HDL increased significantly (P<0.05). The hematological test showed no significant (P<0.05) difference in most test groups relative to control. The plant leaves may be helpful in managing heart related diseases.
