Ashishkumar V. Kyada

ABSTRACT

Atherogenic hyperlipidemia is a metabolic syndrome characterised by abnormal increase in the circulatory lipids and lipoprotein levels and important cause of cardiovascular diseases worldwide. A variety of plants have been claimed to have antihyperlipidemic effect based upon their folklore use in Indian traditional system of medicine. However, many of such plants are not scientifically validated on the basic of phytochemicals present. Therefore, in the present investigation, antihyperlipdemic activity of Calotropis procera root bark aqueous extract and its different solvent fractions have been investigated in poloxamer-407, a surfactant-induced hyperlipidemia in rats. Administration of crude extract, ethyl acetate and aqueous fraction of the plant has significantly reduced total serum cholesterol, triglycerides, very low density lipoprotein when compared to disease control group. Low-density lipoproteins were also reduced, but not statistically significant in these animal groups. Moreover, extract and fractions also demonstrated protective effect against copper- catalyzed human plasma LDL oxidation, suggesting beneficial role of plant in retarding atherogenic pathobiology.