Hypoglycemic and Hypocholesterolemic Potential ofPersea americanaLeaf Extracts

Abstract

The effect of aqueous and methanolic leaf extracts of Persea americana on plasma glucose, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-CHOL), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-CHOL) in rats was investigated. Albino rats were fed a diet containing 20% groundnut oil, 0.5% cholesterol, and 0.25% cholic acid to induce hypercholesterolemia. They were then treated daily with aqueous or methanolic extract of P. americana leaf (10 mg/kg of body weight) for 8 weeks. There were no significant (P > .05) differences in the overall body weight gain of the hypercholesterolemic rats compared to normal control. Liver to body weight ratio, plasma glucose, total cholesterol (T-CHOL), and LDL-CHOL levels were significantly (P < .05) elevated in rats fed hypercholesterolemic diet compared to normal controls. The administration of aqueous and methanolic leaf extracts of P. americana induced reductions in plasma glucose (16% and 11%,respectively), T-CHOL (8% and 5%, respectively), and LDL-CHOL (19% and 20%, respectively) in the treated rats compared to the hypercholesterolemic controls. Also, plasma HDL-CHOL concentrations increased by 85% and 68%, respectively, in the aqueous and methanolic extract-treated rats compared to the hypercholesterolemic controls. These results suggest that aqueous and methanolic leaf extracts of P. americana lower plasma glucose and influence lipid metabolism in hypercholesterolemic rats with consequent lowering of T-CHOL and LDL-CHOL and a restoration of HDL-CHOL levels. This could represent a protective mechanism against the development of atherosclerosis.

Anti-diabetic activity of extract from Persea americana Mill. leaf via the activation of protein kinase B (PKB/Akt) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

“…Some studies in rats have demonstrated the hypotensive (Adeboye et al, 1999;Owolabi et al, 2005), antioxidant (Owolabi et al, 2010) and hypocholesterolemic properties (Brai et al, 2007) of the extract of Persea americana leaves, partially confirming the popular belief.…”

Acute and sub-acute toxicological assessment of the aqueous seed extract of <i>Persea americana</i> Mill (Lauraceae) in rats

“…The aqueous leaf extract for example has analgesic and anti-inflammatory (Adeyemi et al, 2002), anticonvulsant (Ojewole and Amabeoku, 2006), hypoglycaemic and hypocholesterolaemic (Brai et al, 2007), vasorelaxant and blood pressure reducing (Owolabi et al, 2005;Ojewole et al, 2007), activities in animal studies.…”

In vitro Evaluation of Genotoxicity of Avocado (Persea americana) Fruit and Leaf Extracts in Human Peripheral Lymphocytes

“…In addition to the nutritional value of its fruit, the leaves and other parts of Persea americana are widely used in traditional medicines of many African countries [2]. Several studies on the avocado leaf extracts have shown that they possess several useful pharmacological activities, including analgesic [3], anti-inflammatory [3], hypoglycemic/hypocholesterolemic [4], hypotensive [5], anticonvulsant [6], and anti-Helicobacter pylori [7] properties. The fruit extracts have also been evaluated for and found to possess wound healing [8], chemo-preventive [9], antifungal [10], and antioxidant [11,12] properties.…”