Effects of Garcinia kola biflavonoid fractions on serum lipid profile and kidney function parameters in hyperlipidemic rats

Background: Garcinia kola is used in traditional medicine in various parts of Africa including Nigeria for the amelioration of hypertension, cough, diabetes, sickle cell anemia, bacterial and fungal infections amongst others. The prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy of Garcinia kola biflavonoid fractions (GKBF); root bark (RBBF), stem bark (SBBF) and seed (SBF)) on the lipid profile and kidney function of Poloxamer 407 (P407) induced hyperlipidemic rats were determined. Methods: Hyperlipidemia was induced by a single intraperitoneal dose of P407 after 19 days in the prophylactic group and after every 48 h in therapeutic group for 21 days. Atorvastatin (standard drug) and the GKBF were administered to different subgroups before induction in Prophylactic group and after induction in therapeutic group. Experimental animals were euthanized after day 21 of the study and blood samples collected for the evaluation of lipid levels and kidney function. Results: All Prophylactic and therapeutic group treated sub-groups had significantly (p < 0.05) lower serum concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) when compared to hyperlipidemic control. The RBBF and SBBF increased the levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c). SBBF and SBF significantly (p < 0.05) increased HDL-c/TC ratio. The LDL-c/HDL-c and log (TG/HDL-c) level were lowered by the extracts except in the therapeutic group where only the SBF reduced log (TG/HDL-c). Kidney function test results in all groups showed no significant (p > 0.05) change in urea and creatinine concentrations. Conclusion: This study shows that Garcinia kola biflavonoid fraction has potential prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy in the management of hyperlipidemia.