Hypolipidemic Effect of Aqueous Leave Extract of Moringa Leaf (moringa Lucida) on Plasmodium Berghei Infected Wistar Albino Rats

ABSTRACT
This study investigated the effects of aqueous Morinda lucida leaf extract on lipid profile and body weight changes in Plasmodium berghei-infected rats. Twenty five rats were randomly divided into five groups: normal control (Group A), 200mg/kg extract treatment (Group B), 400mg/kg extract treatment (Group C), standard drug control with Amatem soft gel (Group D), and negative control (Group E). Lipid parameters including total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were measured. Body weights were monitored before and after treatment. Normal control rats showed optimal lipid profiles (TC: 2.10±0.30 mg/dl, TG: 0.40±0.01 mg/dl, HDL: 2.10±0.51 mg/dl, LDL: 1.00±0.20 mg/dl). Both extract doses significantly elevated total cholesterol (3.40-3.60 mg/dl) and triglycerides (0.80-1.00 mg/dl), while reducing beneficial HDL cholesterol (1.02-1.08 mg/dl) and increasing LDL cholesterol (1.30-1.40 mg/dl). Body weight analysis revealed weight loss in the negative control group (133±21.39 to 117±23.65 kg), while treated groups maintained or gained weight.While Morinda lucida extract demonstrated potential antimalarial activity evidenced by weight maintenance, it adversely affected lipid metabolism, suggesting possible cardiovascular risks that warrant further investigation.