Dickson O. Uwaya

Medicinal plants are presently in demand, and their acceptance is increasing progressively; hence, plants with ethnomedicinal values are currently screened for their therapeutic potential and safety profile. This study evaluated the effects of a polyherbal-formulated tea (Ageratum conyzoides, Anthocleista djalonensis, Zingiber officinale, Allium sativum, and Thespesia garckeana) on atherogenic diet-induced hyperlipidaemia and atherosclerosis in male albino Wistar rats. Twenty-five rats were divided into five groups of five: group 1 as normal control, group 2 as cholesterol control, groups 3 and 4 received polyherbal tea at 20 and 40 mg/kg, respectively, and group 5 was treated with atorvastatin (5 mg/kg). Hyperlipidaemia was induced in groups 2 to 5 by administering 10 mg/kg of 1% cholesterol and 0.5% cholic acid. Treatments and a cholesterol diet were given orally for 28 days. The results indicated that polyherbal tea at both doses of 20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg prevented weight gain and reduced organ-to-body weight ratios when compared to the cholesterol control (P < 0.05). Polyherbal tea treatment decreased total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) levels, while elevating high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels (P < 0.05). Polyherbal tea had a reduction in aortic wall thickness and ALT and AST levels compared to the cholesterol control (p<0.05). Histological examination revealed normal aortic and hepatic features in treated groups compared with the cholesterol control. In conclusion, the polyherbal-formulated tea demonstrated antihyperlipidemic, anti-atherosclerotic, and hepatoprotective properties and may reduce cardiovascular risk