Ethanolic extract of Muntingia calabura L. as an antihypercholesterolemic by reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in white mice (Mus musculus)

Introduction and Aim: A diet high in cholesterol causes hypercholesterolemia by elevating plasma cholesterol levels. Hypercholesterolemia causes an increase in cholesterol concentration within cells, resulting in membrane-altering lipid peroxidation. Malondialdehyde (MDA) is produced during lipid peroxidation to form peroxides and other free radicals. The present study aims to evaluate the potential of Muntingia calabura L. ethanolic extracts as a hypercholesterolemia agent by reducing MDA levels in hypercholesterolemic white mice (Mus musculus). Materials and Methods: The present study has a true experimental design with a control group consisting only of post-test samples. The research utilized approximately 25 white mice (Mus musculus) randomly. These white mice were separated into five groups, consists of negative control (C1), positive control (C2), M. calabura L. ethanolic extracts at doses of 13 mg/20g/BW (C3), 26 mg/20g/BW (C4), and 52mg/20g/BW (C5). The concentration of MDA was measured on the 21st day of treatment using the TBARS method. Results: The results indicated that the M. calabura L. extracts significantly (p<0.05) reduce the total cholesterol and MDA levels in the blood of white mice (Mus musculus). The evidence supporting this conclusion is based on the data obtained from mice that received various doses of M. calabura L leaf extract, specifically 13mg/20g/BW, 26mg/20g/BW, and 52mg/20g/BW. These doses already demonstrated a substantial reduction in MDA levels following the treatment. Conclusion: In this research, it was found that the ethanolic extract of M. calabura L leaves effectively acted as an anti-hypercholesterolemic agent in mice with hypercholesterolemia. The assessment of its anti-hypercholesterolemic properties was based on the observation of reduced MDA levels. It is suggested that the leaf extract of M. calabura L contains a compound known as phytol, which is believed to have the capacity to inhibit hypercholesterolemia in white mice (Mus musculus).