ANTILIPIDEMIC ACTIVITY AND In vitro ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL OF Cyperus esculentus (TIGER NUT)

The study determined the antilipidemic activity and in vitro antioxidant activity of Cyperus esculentus plant extract. The antioxidant activity was determined using nitric oxide, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, lipid peroxidation free radical scavenging activities. The plant extract showed 30.95% inhibition in lipid peroxidation at the highest concentration (800 µg/ml) used. This is higher when compared to nitric oxide and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl percentage inhibition of the plant extract which are 28.27% and 5.80% respectively. The percentage inhibition of the plant extract showed low inhibition concentration as against 50% (IC50). For serum lipid profile assay, Wistar albino rats were fed diet containing Cyperus esculentus at different percentage level of dietary incorporation. At the end of experimental period, animals were sacrificed and Total Cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, and Triacylglycerol were measured to assess the antilipidemic activity of the plant. The results showed non-significant changes (P > 0.05) in all the parameters when compared with the control group. It can be deduced from the serum lipid assay that the administration of tiger nut did not cause accumulation of lipid in the rats. This plant therefore may contain antilipidemic agents or compounds.