THE FACT

4.0 RESULT

4.1 BOBY WEIGHT

Table 1: shows the effect of Malus domestica on the and weight of experimental rats, no significant increase or decrease was statistically observed at probability co – efficient of 0.05 when initial is compared with final body weight.

Table 1

GROUPS	INITIAL WEIGHT                                      FINAL WEIGHT
CONTROL	113±4.63                                                               121±3.67
1ml	111±6.40                                                                123±8.30
1.5ml	121±5.56                                                                119±9.27

Probability significant of <*0.05 (Turkey HSD t-test) was used to compare initial weight with final weight. (n-5).

4.2 INVESTIGATION INTO THE EFFECT OF THE EFFECT OF Malus domestica (APPLE) ON THE SERUM LIPID PROFILE OF ALBINO RATS

In total cholesterol, significant reduction was observed when control group was compared with 1ml treated (0.143) and 1.5ml (0.061), High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) no significant difference in 1ml treated (0.102) and significant difference at 1.5ml (0.01) in Triglyceride 1ml (0.107) and 1.5 ml (0.886) and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL), significant reduction was observed with 1ml (0.001) and 1.5ml (0.001) at p. value of 0.05.

Table 2: shows the lipid profile of both the control (treated with distilled water) and experimental group of various doses shows statistical reduction with the treated.

Table 2

Enzyme	CHOL               LDL                  HDL                 TRYGLY
CONTROL	130±8.86          122±3.14              48±4.46              173±8.07
1ml	51.6±0.50*         94.6±2.87*          57.2±4.54         150±11.8**
1.5ml	103±4.01*        90.0±2.34*            61.4±1.60          196±6.0

Probability significant of <*0.05 (Turkey HSD t-test) was used to compare control group with experimental group and experimental also used to comparism. (n-5)

KEY=CHOL – TOTAL CHOLESTEROL

          LDL –LOW DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN CHOLESTEROL

          HDL –HIGH DENSITY LIPOPRITEIN CHOLESTEROL

          TRYGLY –TRYGLYCERIDE

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 DISCUSSION

It is believed that the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) related deaths in Nigeria are on the rise and high blood pressure is a major contributor to these diseases. Cholesterol and triglycerides are important lipids associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and other diseases. The deleterious effect of hyperlipidemia underscores the need for research on its management. Thus this study reports the effect of apple fruit; which are mostly consumed in between meals, to hyperlipidemia. The amount of food consumed is related not only to its nutrient/caloric content (Eriyamremu and Adamson, 1994), but also its palatability. Many investigations have shown that diet treatment or drug therapy to regulate cholesterol can decrease subsequent cardiovascular disease (CVD) -associated mortality and morbidity (Kwiterovich, 1997).

On the basis of this, great efforts have been made to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) through the regulation of cholesterol, thus the therapeutic benefits of plant foods have been the focus of many extensive dietary studies (Yokozawa et al., 2006; Zhang et al., 2007). Traditional plant remedies have been used for centuries in the treatment of diseases (Akhtar and Ali, 1984) but only a few have been scientifically evaluated. Therefore, the effects of crude extract of Malus domestica on blood lipid were studied.

In this study from table 1, there was a statistical increase p<0.05 observed in the weight of the rats when the final body weight in the group administered with 1ml of the extract (123±5.56) when compared with the initial (111±6.40), but there was a decrease in the group administrated with 1.5ml of the extract when the final weight (119±9.27) was compared with the initial body weight (121±5.56). The increase found in the body as seen in the Control group and 1ml extract treated group in the result, this may be due to protein and fats as contained in the feed given to the rats.

De Oliviera et al., (2003), have shown that apple can reduce blood sugar in rats and according to research data, there is link between increased blood sugar and increased risk of cardiovascular disease which is also in line with the findings of Sesso et al., (2003), In the Women's Health study, which surveyed nearly 40,000 women with a 6.9-year follow-up, women ingesting apples had a 13% to 22% decrease in cardiovascular risk.

From table 2 above, there was cholesterol lowering effect of the crude extract of Malus domestica (apple) in both groups 1ml and 1.5ml (51.6±0.50) and (103±4.01) respectively when compared with the control (130±8.86), and this could be beneficial in preventing lipid abnormalities which may arise in certain metabolic disorders (Cho et al., 2002). Ezekwe and Obidoa (Menendez et al., 1999) have reported that flavoniods, tannins and saponins may play some roles in the hypolipidaemic effect of some plants. The mechanism of the hypocholesterolaemic action of Malus domestica (apple) may be due to inhibition of the absorption of dietary cholesterol in the intestine or its production by the liver (Ahmed-Raus et al., 2001) or stimulation of the biliary secretion of cholesterol and cholesterol excretion in faeces (Anderson et al., 1991).

Triglyceride are partly taken up with the diet and partly synthesized in the liver (Cullen, 2003). Triglyceride as major components of various very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and chylomycrons, play a significant role in metabolism as energy sources and transport of dietary fats. High blood triglyceride has been linked to atherosclerosis, and by extension, the risk of heart disease and stroke (Philip, 2007). In this study, crude extract of Malus domestica (apple) showed a triglycerol lowering effects in the group administered with 1 ml of the extract (150±11.8) and an increase with the group administered with 1.5 ml of the extract (196±6.0) when compared with the control (173±8.07).

Low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is another primary target of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk reduction therapy (Kwiterovich, 1997). In this study, the effect of crude extract of Malus domestica on the serum LDL-C was compared with the control. The results show that Malus domestica  significantly lowered the serum LDL-C values when compared with the control  (122±3.14) and for the test groups the results were (94.6±2.87) and (90.0±2.34) for 1ml and 1.5ml respectively.  LDL-C is associated with CVD because they transport cholesterol to the arteries which could lead to the formation of plaque. Therefore, plasma LDL-C level may be used for monitoring the treatment of patients with elevated cholesterol levels. From the results obtained, the plants elicited beneficial effects by lowering the serum LDL in rats.

Beyond the role of LDL-C in the development of atherosclerosis, growing evidence suggests that high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is a powerful predictor of CVD. Indeed, epidemiological, mechanistic and intervention studies suggest that low HDL-C is a major CVD risk factor and that increasing HDL-C plasma levels may be beneficial, particularly in patients with low LDL-C levels (Nofer et al., 2002).

The results from this study show that the administration of crude extract of Malus domestica lead to a significant increase in serum HDL-C, when control (48±4.46) was compared with the test groups of 1ml and 1.5ml (57.2±4.54) and (61.4±1.60) respectively showing promising protective role against cardiovascular disease (CVD). The effects of crude extract of Malus domestica induced significantly higher HDL-C concentration when compared to the control. This implies that Malus domestica could have a better therapeutic application as it may reduce atherogenic processes. The protective role of HDL-C against cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been suggested to occur in various ways (Nofer et al., 2002). HDL exerts part of its anti-atherogenic effect by counteracting LDL oxidation and, recent studies show that HDL promotes the reverse cholesterol transport pathway, by inducing the efflux of accumulated cellular cholesterol and prevents the generation of an oxidatively modified LDL (Yokozawa et al., 2006). Furthermore, HDL inhibits the oxidation of LDL by transition metal ions, but also prevents12-lipoxygenase mediated formation of lipid hydroperoxides (Nofer et al., 2002). On the basis of the results from this study, the fruit of Malus domestica could play anti-atherogenic role through the increase of HDL-C.

5.1 CONCLUSION

          Evidence from this study confirms the effect of Malus domestica on lipid levels in experimental animals. Malus domestica was found to be highly effective in reducing the levels of serum total cholesterol, triglycerides and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). They also increased the levels of serum High Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in the experimental B animals. Thereby exhibiting hypocholestrolaemic and hypolipidemic effects.

5.2 RECOMMENDATION

          It appears from this result that Malus domestica have hypolipidaemic effect. Therefore, Malus domestica may have a promising therapeutic effect in preventing lipid related pathologies. However, because the search for natural anti-lipidaemic compounds to replace synthetic ones is gaining ground, further research is required to elucidate the exact mechanism responsible for the hypo-lipidaemic effects shown by this fruit malus domestica (Apple).