Hypolipidemic Effect of Ethanolic Extract of Leaves of Bryophyllum pinnatum in Hyperlipidemic Rats

This study was undertaken with the objective of studying the hypolipidemic effect of ethanolic extract of leaves of Bryophyllum pinnatum in hyperlipidemic rats.

Hyperlipidemia was induced in rats by a cocktail diet containing cholesterol, peanut oil, cholic acid and propylthiouracil. Hypolipdemic activity of Bryophyllum pinnatum was then evaluated at doses 100mg/kg, 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg and compared with a standard, Atorvastatin. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, VLDL and atherogenic index were determined to assess the hypolipidemic effect. Histopathology of the aorta was done to assess the atherogenic changes.The study demonstated dose dependent reduction in serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, VLDL levels and the atherogenic index at doses 100mg/kg, 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg. The effect was highest with 400mg/kg dose (p < 0.01). Though there was increase in the HDL levels after treatment but the increase was not statistically significant. The histopathological analysis showed minimum atherogenic changes in the drug treated groups.

From the above results it can be concluded that the ethanolic extract of leaves of Byophyllum pinnatum possessed significant hypolipidemic effects and reduced atherogenic changes in cholesterol rich cocktail diet induced hyperlipidemia in rats.