Abstract

Background/Objective: Atherosclerosis is a key feature in the pathophysiology of arterial forms of cardiovascular disease, and these compounds (isoflavones) may serve as both shields against the disease and disruptors of already-formed plaques. The study aimed to seek for novel approach and alternative way rather than use of statin in lipid regulation in 4-vinylcyclohexane diepoxide-induced menopausal albino rats.

Methods:Thirty (30) female albino Wistar rats were employed in the investigation and each one of the experimaental animal was induced with 80mg/kg of 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide before being treated with either normal estradiol therapy (14ug/kg) or varying concentrations of the soybean phytoestrogen-rich extract (200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, and 600 mg/kg).  The levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein and low density lipoprotein were all measured spectrophotometrically. Statistical software SPSS (IBM) version 23.0 was used to analyze the data.  

Results: Results showed dose-dependent reductions in lipid profile levels were seen across all treatment groups (p<0.05) with soybean phytoestrogen rich extract. Treatment with phytoestrogen isoflavones significantly decreased high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels in a dose-dependent manner, with no discernible difference between 400mg/kg and 600mg/kg. Except at a concentration of 14ug/kg of estradiol therapy.

Conclusion: Data from this research clearly demonstrate that soybean phytoestrogen-rich extract have  increased lipolytic effect on hyperlipidaemia induced with 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide in menopause-induced female Wistar rats. Soybean phytoestrogen-rich extract therapy in a high-dose appears to be more effective in lowering lipids compared to hormone replacement therapy as an alternate source of estrogen in treatment of cardiovascular diseases