ABSTRACT

This study examined the effect methanol extract of grapefruit peels on serum cholesterol concentration and some enzymes associated with liver and cardiac functions in male albino rats. It also accessed the effect of extract administration on body weight and vital organs. Adult male albino rats where randomly divided into tour groups and treated with different concentrations of the extracts alongside 2mg/kg body weight of cholesterol for seven days. Results show that serum cholesterol concentrations was 58.7 ± 0.80, 57.6 + I 6, 53 + 10.32 in group II, ill and IV respectively, which received 1mg/kg, 5mg/kg and 10mg/kg body weight of extract respectively, while the control, group 1 had 50.0 1 .87 serum cholesterol concentration. The decrease in serum cholesterol concentration in all extract-administered group was statistically non-significant (P < 0.05). Serum, Aspartate amino transaminase activities decreased significantly (P < 0.05), in all extract administered group, (112.25 ±22.74), (124 ± 18.92) and (77.3S I 6.9 2) in group 11, ill and IV respectively when compared with control group (132.75 ± 22.66). group V. had the highest mean body weight gain (50.6 ± 37.25), while group 11, had the lowest mean body weight. gain (8.9 ± 15.90). The increase in mean body weight in-group IV was found to be statistically significant (P > 0.05) relative to that of other groups. Mean relative organ weights decreased non-significantly in all extract-administered groups. Our findings suggest that the methanol traction of grapefruit peels extract has a Hypocholesterolemic effect in albino rats.