Cardioprotective effects of Citrullus lanatus rinds in male wistar rats

Water melon, citrullus lanatus is a common edible fruit belongs to the family of cucumber (Cucurbitacea). The outer part of citrullus lanatus known as the rind is always discarded. This study investigated the effects of ethanol extract of citrullus lanatus rinds orally administered on some liver function enzymes, kidney function markers, cardiac risk ratio, and the atherogenic coefficient indices in male wistar rats. Twenty-five male Wistar  albino rats were randomly distributed into five groups (I, II, III, IV and V) of five rats each received 0mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, 200mg/kg, 400mg/kg and 800mg/kg of ethanol extract of Citrullus lanatus rinds respectively for 35days. The result showed that the effects of ethanol extract of citrullus lanatus rinds was not significant difference (p > 0.05) in serum liver enzymes (Aspartate aminotransferase, Alanine aminotransferase, Alkaline phosphatase) in increasing dose dependent manner when compared with control group. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in serum levels of urea and creatinine with increasing dose of ethanol extract of Citrullus lanatus rinds in rats when compared with control group. The extract showed significantly higher (p< 0.05) values in the serum HDL, cholesterol but there were significant reduction (p< 0.05) in the serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, VLDL and non-HDL values in rats at higher doses of the extract when compared with control group. While it was observed that the cardiac risk ratio, the atherogenic coefficient and indices decreased significantly (p< 0.05) in rats at increasing doses of ethanol extract of Citrullus lanatus rinds when compared with control group. This may suggest a likely cardioprotective effects of ethanol extract of Citrullus lanatus rinds in increasing dose dependent manner in rats when compared with control group. In conclusion, it can be inferred that Citrullus lanatus rinds can be consumed by animals without detrimental effect. Keywords: Citrullus lanatus rinds, cardio-protective, rats