THE EFFECT OF KEREHAU LEAF EXTRACT (CALLICARPA LONGIFOLIA LAMK.) ON LIPID RATIOS AND AORTA HISTOPATHOLOGY OF MALE RATS OF WISTAR STRAIN

Ethanol extract of kerehau leaves is known to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities with the potential to prevent atherosclerosis. This study aims to determine the ability of kerehau ethanol extract in reducing the lipid levels, the lipid ratios, and the number of foam cells in the blood vessel walls. This study employed in-vivo and ex-vivo experiments on male rats of Wistar strain induced with high-fat feed and 25% fructose for 45 days. The rats were divided into 6 groups (n=3), namely negative control (0.5% CMC-Na), positive control (induction), simvastatin (0.9 mg/kg bw), and 3 groups of test extracts with a dose of 75, 150, and 300 mg/kg bw, respectively. Administration of CMC-Na, simvastatin, and kerehau ethanol extract was carried out orally along with the inducer. The parameters measured were the levels of triglycerides, TC, and serum HDL at before and after 45 days of treatment. Rat aortic arches were taken for histopathological examination at the end of the study. The results showed that kerehau ethanol extract at a dose of 75 mg/kg bw was able to reduce the TC levels (63.63 ± 11.23), increase the HDL levels (30.47 ± 2.78), reduce the lipid ratios {(Cardiac Risk Ratio) (2.09 ± 0.18) and Atherogenic Coefficient (1.09 ± 0.18)}, and reduce the number of foam cells (16 ± 1.41). It can be concluded that the kerehau ethanol extract at a dose of 75 mg/kgbw has the ability to lower the lipid levels (TC), the lipid ratios, and the number of foam cells.