The study investigated the effects of ethylacetate fraction of the root-bark extract of Theobroma cacao (Linn.) on liver and plasma lipid profile of rats fed with high salt-diets, in order to ascertain the potential of the extract to manage salt-induced cardiovascular related ailments. Rats were grouped into normal-treated, salt-treated and untreated and then placed on 4% salt-diet and 1% salt-water for 21 days were orally exposed to 250 and 500 mg/kg bwt of flavonoid fraction. Fresh root-bark of T. cacao was extracted, fractionated with solvents of increasing polarity and ethylacetate fraction was used in this study. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of saponins, tannins, steroids/phytosterols, alkaloids, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, xanthoproteins and triterpenes. The extract significantly reduced the plasma total cholesterol levels of the normal-treated and salt-treated rats, compared to the increase observed in the untreated and control groups. Both the extract and salt-diet independently or jointly reduced the plasma triacylglycerols levels of the rats, compared to the control group. The decreased plasma HDL-c observed in the entire groups could be an indication of inhibition of excess cholesterol clearance. Decreased plasma LDL-c concentrations were observed in the entire groups. Decreased plasma VLDL-c concentrations were observed in the normal-treated and salt-treated rats, as well as in the untreated groups. In conclusion, the medicinal value of the root tonic extract of cocoa lies in its bioactive constituents that produce a definite physiological action and could be beneficial for the management and treatment of salt-induced related cardiovascular diseases associated with free radical generation.
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Keywords: Phytochemicals, free radicals, cardiovascular diseases (CVD), hypertension, antioxidants, diabetes
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