Anti-Hyperlipidemic and Biochemical Effects of Activated Charcoal from Terminalia Catappa on Induced Cholesterol in the Liver, Kidney and Heart of Wistar Rats.

The unique properties of Terminalia catappa make it an effective anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory,
laxative, and hepatoprotective agent. However, the absence of studies fully expressing the antihyperlipidemic characteristics of Terminalia catappa led the conduct of this experiment, which
aims to investigate the effects of activated charcoal of Terminalia catappa on induced
hypercholesterolemia in wistar albino rats. Hypercholesterolemia is a kind of hyperlipidemia that
focuses on high LDL-C (a disorder defined by an excess of low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) in
the blood), whereas hyperlipidemia encompasses a variety of disorders characterized by
excessive levels of fat in the blood (not simply LDL-C). Activated charcoal is a fine, odorless
black powder commonly used in emergency departments to treat overdoses. Other potential
benefits include reduced flatulence, improved kidney function, and lower cholesterol. It is
derived from the stem bark of Terminalia catappa. The stem bark was collected fresh from trees
and dried in the sun before being processed in the laboratory using a thermo fisher mufflefurnace at 1450°C in the absence of oxygen for about an hour, allowing all of the stem bark to
transform into charcoal and a highly porous substance with a large surface area. The charcoal
was then pulverized into a smooth powder and analyzed. Thereafter, twelve rats were then
separated into four groups of three. Rats from the first group (control) were fed with normal
10kg pellet diet. Rats from the second group (negative control) were fed with 5kg of lard mixed
with 10kg of pellet diet and was induced with cholesterol (5% w/w) diet. Rats from the third
group (Positive Control I) were fed with 5kg of lard mixed with 10kg of pellet diet, induced with
cholesterol (5% w/w) diet and treated with 200mg of activated charcoal dissolved in 100ml of
distilled water by oral gavage for two weeks. Rats in the fourth group (Positive Control II) were
fed 5kg of lard mixed with 10kg of pellet food and treated with atorvastatin (10 mg/kg b.wt/day)
by oral gavage for two weeks. At the end of the 28-day experiment, blood and liver samples
were obtained for biochemical and histological analysis. The biochemical study revealed
substantial differences in the liver function test (ALT, AST, and ALP levels), kidney function
test (urea and creatinine levels), and lipid profile test across groups. The histopathological study
also revealed some significant changes in the liver, kidneys, and the heart.