The Effect of Saccharum officinarum Linn. (Sugarcane) and Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Linn. (Gumamela) Extracts on the Blood Cholesterol Levels of Oryctolagus caniculus (Rabbit)

High cholesterol is the main risk factor of arterial blockage which is directly related to coronary heart disease. Sugarcane and Gumamela have been reported to have potential anticholesterolemia because of the presence of policosanol in the leaves and the high content of antioxidant chemical contained in the gumamela flower. This study determined the effectiveness of the two crude extract in decreasing the LDL-C level and increasing the HDL-C level on the cholesterol induced rabbits. The study also compared its effectiveness to a synthetic drug known to be patent anticholesterol medicine. Twenty rabbits were divided into four groups. Group 1 was fed with standard diet as negative control and the other entire groups were fed with high fat butter. Butter increased the level of LDL-C significantly compared to the negative control. The treatment groups were given 5ml of crude extract per day (T1 and T2), and synthetic drug (T3) for ten days.The plant crude extracts and synthetic drug proved to be significantly effective in decreasing LDL-C with T3 (synthetic drug) having the best result. In increasing HDL-C, the three treatments showed a slightly increase but the statistical analysis did not show significant difference when compared to the control group.

 

Keywords: Clinical laboratory service, sugarcane, gumamela, HDL-C, LDC-C, high cholesterol, Cagayan de Oro City,   Philippines