One of the risk factors for atherosclerosis, which can result in coronary heart disease, is hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia. Bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) is now recognized as a plant that lowers plasma lipid and glucose level. The purpose of this study is to determine how methanol extract of Vernonia amygdalina (MEVA) affects total blood lipid level and glucose level in response to high fat and sucrose diet. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) model was achieved using a high fat and high sucrose diet in albino rat.  Twenty (20) rats were divided into 4 groups, five (5) in each group. Group Iserved as Negative control, while group II, and group III were administered with 200 mg/kg MEVA (Low dose), and 400mg/kg MEVA (High dose) respectively. MetSwas induced in groups I-III rats. Group IV served as normal Control (standard diet). Following a 28-day high-fat and high-sucrose diet, the rats received therapy for an additional 14 days. Following experimental treatments, blood samples were collected for the biochemical measurement of the lipid profile parameters and glucose level. Results show that the treatment with low dose of MEVA (200mg/kg, oral) and high dose of MEVA (400mg/kg, oral) were shown to induce a significant decrease in total cholesterol (TC) levels, Triglycerides (TG) and Low density lipoprotein (LDL-C) (P value<0.05); and thus improved the condition compared with the negative control group. The treatment with low dose of MEVA (200mg/kg, oral) and high dose of MEVA (400mg/kg, oral) was shown to respectively induced a non-significant ((P >0.05); and significant (P <0.05) decreases in plasma glucose level, and thus improved the condition compared with the control groups. In conclusion, methanol extract of bitter leaf has antihyperlipidemic and antihyperglycemic effects and could be used to improve MetS condition.

Keywords: Vernonia amygdalina, Metabolic syndrome, Lipid profile, High fat diet, High sucose diet