title: Treatment of hypercholesterolemia: screening of Solanum macrocarpon Linn (Solanaceae) as a medicinal plant in Benin.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Hypercholesterolemia is the greatest risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. The present study is conducted to evaluate the lipid lowering activity of leaves and fruits of Solanum macrocarpon, a vegetable, on Wistar rats experimentally rendered hypercholesterolemic by Triton X-100.
  
  
  METHODS
  The leaves and fruits were administered (p.o.) for 7 days to rats at doses of 400 and 800 mg/kg of body weight. Atorvastatin was used as reference treatment drug. The data were analyzed by the Brown-Forsythe ANOVA, Dunnett's T3 multiple comparison test, and Dunnett's t test. All tests were done at the 5% significance level.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Administration of S. macrocarpon (fruits as well as leaves) resulted in a statistically significant decrease in total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides in the treated groups compared with the untreated hypercholesterolemic group, regardless of the administrated doses. A significant increase in HDL-cholesterol was observed in the treated groups. Hepatic disorders due to the Triton have been corrected by S. macrocarpon.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This vegetable effectively suppresses experimental hypercholesterolemia in Wistar rats, suggesting a protective role in cardiovascular diseases. Its use by individuals at risk should be promoted.
authors: Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Interfaculty Center of Formation and Research in Environment for the Sustainable Development, University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC), 01 PO Box 1463 Cotonou, Benin ; Laboratory of Research in Applied Biology, Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi, University of Abomey-Calavi , 01 PO Box 2009 Cotonou, Benin.
authors: Tamègnon Victorien
authors: TV
authors: Dougnon
authors: Laboratory of Research in Applied Biology, Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi, University of Abomey-Calavi , 01 PO Box 2009 Cotonou, Benin.
authors: Honoré Sourou
authors: HS
authors: Bankolé
authors: Laboratory of Research in Applied Biology, Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi, University of Abomey-Calavi , 01 PO Box 2009 Cotonou, Benin.
authors: Jean Robert
authors: JR
authors: Klotoé
authors: Laboratory of Research in Applied Biology, Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi, University of Abomey-Calavi , 01 PO Box 2009 Cotonou, Benin.
authors: Maximin
authors: M
authors: Sènou
authors: Laboratory of Research in Applied Biology, Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi, University of Abomey-Calavi , 01 PO Box 2009 Cotonou, Benin.
authors: Lauris
authors: L
authors: Fah
authors: Laboratory of Research in Applied Biology, Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi, University of Abomey-Calavi , 01 PO Box 2009 Cotonou, Benin.
authors: Hornel
authors: H
authors: Koudokpon
authors: Laboratory of Research in Applied Biology, Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi, University of Abomey-Calavi , 01 PO Box 2009 Cotonou, Benin.
authors: Casimir
authors: C
authors: Akpovi
authors: Laboratory of Research in Applied Biology, Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi, University of Abomey-Calavi , 01 PO Box 2009 Cotonou, Benin.
authors: Tossou Jacques
authors: TJ
authors: Dougnon
authors: Department of Animal Experimentation, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), University of Ghana, PO Box LG 581 Legon, Ghana.
authors: Phyllis
authors: P
authors: Addo
authors: Laboratory of Research in Applied Biology, Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi, University of Abomey-Calavi , 01 PO Box 2009 Cotonou, Benin.
authors: Frédéric
authors: F
authors: Loko
authors: Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Interfaculty Center of Formation and Research in Environment for the Sustainable Development, University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC), 01 PO Box 1463 Cotonou, Benin.
authors: Michel
authors: M
authors: Boko
keywords: Cholesterolemia; Feeding; Regulation; Solanum macrocarpon; Wistar rats