Anti-dyslipidemic and cardio-protective effects of dietary Vernonia amygdalina leaves in monosodium glutamate intoxicated high fat diet fed Wistar rats

The study evaluated the proximate analysis, anti- dyslipidemic and cardioprotective effects of dietary incorporated Vernonia amygdalina (VA) leaves in Monosodium glutamate (MSG) intoxicated High fat diet (HFD) fed Wistar rats. The proximate analysis of the leaves revealed the highest ash and carbohydrate content in the control (basal) diet, highest protein, crude fibre and moisture content in the 10% VA incorporated HFD and the highest crude fat in the HFD only group. Dietary incorporation of VA in HFD reversed the trend of hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia observed in experimental animals after chronic MSG, HFD and MSG + HFD administration. At the end of week 8, HFD only group produced a higher level of total cholesterol and triglyceride when compared to the basal control diet group and the MSG only group while the 10% VA HFD group produced the greatest reduction in total cholesterol and triglyceride from week 9 – week 12. Possible mechanisms include the presence of crude fibers which binds to bile acids reducing the absorption of cholesterol. Histopathology studies of the myocardial tissues at the end of the study revealed in the MSG + HFD group signs of a marked diffused edema of the myocardium which was absent in the MSG only and HFD only groups while 5% and 10% VA incorporated HFD and the standard drug Orlistat 10 mg/kg failed to reverse the observed toxicity. Conclusion: Dietary VA reversed lipid derangement observed but failed to reverse myocardial histopathologies after chronic MSG + HFD administration and could be used as an adjunct for the treatment of obesity.