en عمومى General پژوهشي orginal article <span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:120%"><span style="vertical-align:middle"><span calibri=""><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="line-height:120%"><span arial=""><span style="color:black">Background </span></span></span></span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="line-height:120%"><span new="" roman="" times=""><span style="color:black">This study examined the proximate composition, phytochemical profile, and hypolipidemic effects of methanolic extracts from four medicinal plants used in Southern Nigeria: Vernonia amygdalina, Ocimum gratissimum, Moringa oleifera, and Gongronema latifolium. The goal was to assess their nutritional value and potential for lipid regulation and cardiovascular health.</span></span></span></span><span new="" roman="" times=""><span style="color:black"></span></span></span></span></span></span><br> <span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:120%"><span style="vertical-align:middle"><span calibri=""><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="line-height:120%"><span arial=""><span style="color:black">Methods</span></span></span></span></b> <span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="line-height:120%"><span new="" roman="" times=""><span style="color:black">Proximate analysis of moisture, protein, fat, ash, fiber, and carbohydrates was performed using Association of Official Analytical Chemists protocols. Qualitative tests identified the presence of flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, tannins, and phenols. Thirty male Wistar rats (150&ndash;180 g) were divided into five groups, fed a high-fat diet to induce hyperlipidemia, and treated orally with plant extracts (200 mg/kg) for 21 days. Serum lipid levels (total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein) and liver enzymes (ALT and AST) were measured.</span></span></span></span><span new="" roman="" times=""><span style="color:black"></span></span></span></span></span></span><br> <span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:120%"><span style="vertical-align:middle"><span calibri=""><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="line-height:120%"><span arial=""><span style="color:black">Results</span></span></span></span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="line-height:120%"><span new="" roman="" times=""><span style="color:black">&nbsp; Moringa oleifera had the highest protein (21.5%), fat (8.0%), and ash (5.8%). V. amygdalina contained the most fibre (15.0%), while G. latifolium had the highest carbohydrate content (56.3%). All extracts contained key phytochemicals. Treatment significantly (p < 0.05) reduced TC, TG, and LDL and increased HDL. M. oleifera showed the strongest lipid-lowering effect. Extracts also lowered ALT and AST levels. O. gratissimum and V. amygdalina offered the greatest hepatoprotective activity.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br> <b><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span arial=""><span style="color:black">Conclusion </span></span></span></span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span new="" roman="" times=""><span style="color:black">These plants provide nutritional and therapeutic benefits. They improve lipid balance and protect liver function without toxicity. Their strong potential as safe, natural agents for managing hyperlipidemia and cardiovascular risk warrants further clinical trials.</span></span></span></span></span> Hepatoprotective, Hypolipidemic, Lipid profile, Medicinal plants, Phytochemical, Proximate 244 253 http://ijrabms.umsu.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-466-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Karibo Amakiri Okari karibo.okari@ust.edu.ng 10031947532846005023 10031947532846005023 No Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria Gogo James Owo gogojames76@gmail.com 10031947532846005024 0009-0006-6204-8263 Yes Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Ignatius Ajuru university of Education, Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria Enyohwo Dennis Kpomah denniskpomah@yahoo.com 10031947532846005025 10031947532846005025 No Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State, Nigeria