CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1
BACKGROUND OF STUDY
Lipid
and lipoprotein abnormalities
play a major
role in the
development and
progression of coronary artery diseases. Low levels of high density lipoprotein
cholesterols have been identified as independent coronary risk factors
(Rodrigue et al., 2010). High level of blood cholesterol is responsible
for circulatory system disorder. Increase level of low density lipoprotein
(LDL) is alarming for cardiovascular diseases and their risk is increased many
times (Harman et al., 2011).
In developing
countries, the occurrence of heart diseases increases rapidly (Nordestgard et
al., 2010). Medical studies show that about 70% of adults over 50 years old
suffer atherosclerosis. (Sherien and Azza, 2009). A large number of synthetic
hypolipidemic drugs are available in market. Long term use of these drugs cause
serious side effects, and are costly.
A medicinal plant is
any plant which in one or more of its organ, contains substance that can be
used for therapeutic purpose or which is a precursor for synthesis of useful
drugs (Sivakumar et al., 2007). Plant contains a large number of
bioactive phytochemicals that are responsible for pharmacological action of
plants and used for development of drugs. Many medicinal
plants have shown their antilipidemic effect and proved their efficacy in
cardiovascular diseases (Nordestgard et al., 2010; Wang, 1999).
One of such plants used
very often in the management of the disease by the traditional medicine
practitioners of Eastern Nigeria is Desmodium velutium, a
perennial plant erect or semi-erect shrub or sub-shrub up to 3m light.
It is widely distributed in subtropical Asia and tropical Africa. (Amowi and
Azode, 2012).
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