Effect of Tannins Isolated from Senna Occidentalis on Lipid Profile of Normal Adult Wistar Rats

Student: Salisu Auwalu (Project, 2025)
Department of Physiology
Northwest University, Kano, Kano State


Abstract

ABSTRACT The present study evaluated the effect of tannins isolated from Senna occidentalis on serum lipid parameters (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides) in normal adult Wistar rats. The findings revealed that tannin administration produced a significant reduction in total cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides, along with a significant increase in HDL levels in a dose-dependent manner. The serum lipid parameters measured in normal Wistar rats treated with tannins isolated from Senna occidentalis showed significant improvements compared to the control group. Total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides were assessed in control rats and those receiving low (50 mg/kg) and high (100 mg/kg) doses of tannins. The control group had total cholesterol of 3.48 ± 0.11 mmol/L, HDL 1.18 ± 0.06 mmol/L, LDL 1.68 ± 0.09 mmol/L, and triglycerides 1.27 ± 0.07 mmol/L. Rats treated with low dose tannins showed reductions in total cholesterol (3.05 ± 0.09 mmol/L), LDL (1.30 ± 0.07 mmol/L), and triglycerides (1.03 ± 0.06 mmol/L), alongside increased HDL (1.30 ± 0.05 mmol/L). The high dose group exhibited the most pronounced lipid-modulating effects with total cholesterol at 2.70 ± 0.08 mmol/L, HDL at 1.38 ± 0.06 mmol/L, LDL at 1.05 ± 0.06 mmol/L, and triglycerides at 0.88 ± 0.05 mmol/L. One-way ANOVA confirmed these changes were statistically significant for total cholesterol (F=6.70, p=0.016), HDL (F=5.12, p=0.027), LDL (F=7.35, p=0.011), and triglycerides (F=6.10, p=0.020). The elevation of HDL cholesterol is a desirable outcome, as HDL plays a protective role by facilitating the reverse transport of cholesterol from peripheral tissues to the liver for excretion. According to Gylling et al. (2014), increased HDL is associated with reduced cardiovascular risk.

Keywords
Senna occidentalis Tannins Lipid Profile Wistar Rats Cholesterol Triglycerides HDL LDL Phytochemicals Hypolipidemic Activity