ABSTRACT

The antilipidemic activity and in vitro antioxidant activity of Cyperus esculentus plant extract was studied. The antioxidant activity was determined using nitric oxide, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, lipid peroxidation free radical scavenging activities. The plant extract showed 30.95% inhibition in lipid peroxidation at the highest concentration (800p.g/ml) used. This is higher when compared to nitric oxide and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl percentage inhibition of the plant extract which are 28.27% and 5.80% respectively. The percentage inhibition of the plant extract showed low inhibition concentration as against 50%(1050). isolation and purification of the specific bioactive principles could serve to improve the free radical scavenging potency of the plant. This means that the plant has to contain much antioxidants to effectively inhibit oxidant in the reaction matrix. Serum lipid profile assay (Total Cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, and Triacylglycerol) of the rats was measured to assess the antilipidemic activity of the plant. Pellets were obtained by mixing commercial feed with tiger nuts at the volume ratios of 40:5, 40:10, 40:20, 40:25, 40:30 and 40:0. The pellets were fed to randomly divided rats for a period of three weeks. The results showed that non significant changes in all the parameters were observed between the control group and the rats fed with tigernut. It can be deduced from the lipid assay of the serum lipid profile assay that the administration of tiger nut did nut cause accumulation of lipid in the serum level of the rats.This plant therefore, may be good candidate for antilipidemic agent.