Determination of Phytochemical Constituents of the Aqueous Extracts of the Leaves, Stem Bark and Root Bark of Vitex doniana and its Effects on Lipid Profile of Albino Rats

Abstract: The phytotochemical screening of Leaves, stem bark and root bark of Vitex doniana were carried out and some Lipid profile were assessed in normal albino rats after administration of the extracts. Twenty mixed sex Wistar rats weighing 150-200 g was divided into 4 groups. Group 1 serves as control while 2, 3, 4 were administered (100 mg/kg) aqueous extracts of leaves, stem bark and root bark of Vitex doniana. The phytochemical screening of the leaves, stem bark and root bark of Vitex doniana shows the presence of Glycosides, Cardiac glycosides, Saponins, Flavonoids and Tannins while the quantitative analysis showed a higher value in the amount of saponin present in the extracts. Daily oral administration of the extracts (100 mg/kg) for the period of 21days shows that all the extracts significantly (p<0.05) decreased the levels of serum total Cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol. The atherogenic risk predictor indices also showed that root bark extract significantly (p<0.05) increased HDL-Cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio which may possess antiatherogenic effect and therefore these findings may be of clinical importance to individuals at risk of cardiovascular disease