Histological evaluation of the antidyslipidemic effects of aqueous root extract of Morinda lucida

BACKGROUND: Dyslipideamia is involved in the development of cardiovascular complications in diabetes, which is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in Nigeria AIM AND OBJECTIVE: The present study was undertaken to investigate the antidyslipidemic effect of aqueous root extract of Morinda lucida in cholesterol-induced dyslipidemia in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study comprises of five groups, Group 1 for control and 2, 3, 4 and 5. They were administered different doses of drug and extract by oral gavages using an orogastric tube at a once-daily dose for 14 days. At the end of 14 days, liver and abdominal aorta was harvested from rats in each group for histological study using the method. RESULTS: It was observed that Group 3 showed intracytoplasmic perinuclear fat vacuoles in the liver among other evidences of tissue damage while the abdominal aorta showed luminal obstruction, infiltrates of chronic inflammatory cells, and intimal ulceration. CONCLUSION: These effects were ameliorated after treatment with both atorvastatin and M. lucida extract, but there was more improved histology in the group treated with M. lucida extract.