Effect of Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia Crassipes) Leaves Extract onthe Total Cholesterol Level of Swiss Mice (Mus Musculus)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

It was proclaimed that our body always need a certain amount of cholesterol in order to function properly and having healthy levels of both types of lipoproteins is important. However, too much cholesterol or unbalanced ratio of HDL and LDL in the body can increase a person's risk of developing heart disease. Water hyacinth, on the other hand, is considered as the fastest growing aquatic plant in the world and highly problematic invasive species paralyzing fishes and blocking waterways. However, the presence of bioactive components of Water Hyacinth convinced the present researchers on the potential of Water Hyacinth leaves extract on medical purpose.

METHODS

Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) leaves were collected in the locality, macerated, extracted, distilled and underwent phytochemical analysis, and bioassay before inducing to the 12 Swiss mice. The 12 Swiss mice (Mus musculus) were assigned randomly into Group A, B, C as the experimental groups and D for the negative control group and acclimatized for 7 days. Blood samples were taken at the tip of the tail to test the total cholesterol level using cholesterol meter. The data gathered were used as the baseline. Within thirty (30) days, the Swiss mice were fed with 3grams fried pork rinds (chicharon) to increase the total cholesterol. Blood samples were taken and the total cholesterol level were measured before and after the treatment. The plant extract was induced through intravenous injection. The data gathered in the experimentation were treated statistically.

RESULTS

The result showed that there is a significant difference in the cholesterol level of Swiss Mice (Mus musculus) before and after the induced Water Hyacinth leaves extract. It also revealed that there is a significant difference on the cholesterol level among the experimental groups A, B, C, and the untreated control group after the induced Water Hyacinth (Eichornnia crassipes) leaves extract. Tukey pairwise revealed that the Swiss mice in Group B and C had obtained the lowest cholesterol level after the treatment as compared with Group A and the negative control group.

DISCUSSIONS

Based on the result, it can be gleaned that Water Hyacinth has the ability to lower the total cholesterol level of Swiss mice. The result of this study can provide information for pharmaceutical companies to conduct further studies that may lead to the development of cheaper but comparable drugs in treating diseases related to total cholesterol