Effect of Methanolic Extract of Cocoyam (Colocasia Esculenta) Leaves on Lipid Profile of Albino Rats

Despite the availability of statins and other lipid lowering drugs, a significant number of patients with hypercholesterolemia do not achieve adequate cholesterol reduction without side effect; thus treatment options with drugs possessing different mechanism of action, improved therapy and improved safety profile is required. This study is aimed at authenticating the claims about the potency of cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta) leaves in traditional medicine and a particular attention has been given to the effects of the plant on the lipid profile of albino rats. A total of 16 albino rats which were obtained from Nigerian Institute of Trypanosomiasis Research (NITR), Kaduna were used in this study, comprising of 4 in each group. The plants were shade dried and the extraction was carried out. Each group of the rats were administered with 1000mg/kg body weight, 1,500mg/kg body weight and 2000mg/kg body weight of the extract except for the control group which were administered with normal saline, after which lipid profile analysis (which include cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides tests) was carried out on the rats using Randox lipid analysis kit. The data obtained were analyzed using ANOVA. The findings of this work showed that cocoyam leaves is able to lower the levels of cholesterol and that of low density lipoprotein (LDL) significantly (p