Hydro-Ethanolic Fruit Extract of Capsicum frutescens Reversed Triton-X-100–Induced Hyperlipidaemia in Rats

Abstract

This study evaluates the anti-hyperlipidaemic and antioxidant activities of hydro-ethanolic fruits extract of Capsicum frutescens in hyperlipidemia rats. The secondary volatile metabolite constituents of the extract were identified using Gas chromatography. In vitro antioxidant activity of the extract (0.2–1.0 mg/mL) was investigated using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and hydroxyl radical (OH^.). In vivo antioxidant and anti-hyperlipidaemic properties of the extract were evaluated in triton X-100-induced hyperlipidaemic rats. Gas chromatogram indicates the presence of 13 compounds with tans β-ocimene being the major constituent. The extract scavenged DPPH, H₂O₂ and OH^. radicals in concentrations dependent manner. C. frutescens reversed triton X-100-mediated increase in serum total cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein, and reduction in high-density lipoprotein. Triton X-100-mediated decrease in superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glucose 6-phospahte dehydrogenase were significantly reversed by the extract. The results indicate that C. frutescens has antioxidant and anti-hyperlipidaemic properties.

Keywords:

• antioxidants
• atorvastatin
• capsicum frutescens
• hyperlipidaemia
• lipid profile
• triton X-100

Declaration of interest

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

About the authors

Adigun, N. S., BSc, MSc, PhD, Department of Biochemistry, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria. Research interests are in Food Biochemistry, functional foods and Metabolic Disorders.

Oladiji, A. T., BSc, MSc, PhD, Department of Biochemistry, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria. Research interests are Food Biochemistry, Functional foods, Micronutrients and Metabolic Disorders.

Ajiboye, T. O., BSc, MSc, PhD, Redox Biology and Toxicology Research Group, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria. Antioxidants, Cancer chemoprevention, Redox Biology of Acinetobacter baumannii, Functional Foods, Toxicology.