Effect of Alkaloids Isolated from Senna Occidentalis Leaves on Lipid Profile of Normal Adult Wistar Rat

ABSTRACT This research project investigated the potential cholesterol lowering effects of alkaloids extracted from Senna occidentalis leaves in normal adult Wistar rats. The study was motivated by the plant's traditional use in managing various health conditions and the need for affordable, natural alternatives to conventional cholesterol medications. Senna occidentalis leaves were collected and prepared using multiple extraction methods (methanol, n-hexane, and water) to obtain the active compounds. Through careful phytochemical screening, the presence of beneficial substances including alkaloids, tannins, phenols, saponins, and flavonoids were confirmed in the leaves. These compounds are known to have various health benefits, particularly for heart health and cholesterol management. The experimental design involved nine male Wistar rats divided into three groups: a control group receiving distilled water, and two treatment groups receiving different doses of the alkaloid extract (0.25mL and 0.35mL) daily for two weeks. After the treatment period, the rat’s blood samples were analyzed to measure key cholesterol markers: Total Cholesterol (TC), High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL), Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL), and Triglycerides (TG). The results showed significant improvements in the rat’s lipid profiles. Both treatment groups showed reduced levels of "bad" cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides compared to the control group. Importantly, the higher dose (0.35mL) produced better results than the lower dose, demonstrating a dose-dependent effect. We also observed increased levels of "good" cholesterol (HDL) in the treated groups, which is important for heart health. These findings suggest that alkaloids from Senna occidentalis leaves can effectively modify lipid metabolism in healthy subjects. The plant's cholesterol lowering effects appear comparable to some conventional medications but with the advantage of being a natural product. The presence of multiple beneficial compounds in the leaves likely work together to produce these positive effects on cholesterol levels.