Antihyperlipidemic effect of aqueous extract ofPlumbago zeylanicaroots in diet-induced hyperlipidemic rat

This study examined the antihyperlipidemic effect of the aqueous extract of Plumbago zeylanica Linn. (Plumbaginaceae) roots in diet-induced hyperlipidemic rats. The oral administration of the aqueous extract at the dose of 20, 40, and 80 mg kg−1 were found to ameliorate the hyperlipidemic condition as evidenced by a reduction of cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The standards fenofibrate (20 mg kg−1) and atorvastatin (8 mg kg−1) were also found to exhibit significant (p < 0.05) cholesterol and triglyceride lowering effect. Further, the aqueous extract at all doses demonstrated a significant (p < 0.05) increase in fecal cholesterol excretion indicating a reduction in intestinal cholesterol absorption. Additionally, the activity of lipogenic enzymes like HMGCoA reductase in the liver remained significantly (p < 0.05) low on treatment of aqueous extract (80 mg kg−1), thus decreasing the cholesterogenesis. The aqueous extract (20, 40 and 80 mg kg−1) also significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the total lipid content in the liver. Moreover, the aqueous extract demonstrated a potential antioxidant capacity in DPPH and TBARS in vitro antioxidant assay. Thus the results suggest a beneficial role of aqueous extract of Plumbago zeylanica roots in ameliorating the hyperlipidemic condition leading to atherosclerosis.