Abstract

HYPOLIPIDEMIC ACTIVITY OF HYDROALCOHOLIC EXTRACT OF SMILAX ZEYLANICA LINN. ROOT ON CHOLESTEROL DIET INDUCED HYPERLIPIDEMIC RATS.

Natarajan P.*, Kala R., Sumi John and Thangathirupathi A.

ABSTRACT

The hydroalcoholic extract of root of Smilax zeylanica was screened by inducing hyperlipidemia with the help of cholesterol diet in wistar albino rats and serum levels of various biochemical parameters such as total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, VLDL and HDL cholesterol were determined. Atherogenic index shows the measure of the atherogenic potential of the drugs. Hydroalcoholic extract showed hypolipidemic effect by lowering the serum levels of biochemical parameters such as significant reduction in level of serum cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, VLDL and increase in HDL level which was similar to the standard drug Atorvastatin. Hydroalcoholic extract exhibited significant atherogenic index and percentage protection against hyperlipidemia. These biochemical observations were in turn confirmed by histopathological examinations of aorta and liver sections and were compared with the standard hypolipidemic drug Atorvastatin. The overall experimental results suggests that the biologically active phytoconstituents such as reducing sugers, tannins, saponins, gums, steroids, alkaloids, and flavonoids present in the ethanol extract of Smilax zeylanica may be responsible for significant hypolipidemic activity and results justify the use of Smilax zeylanica as a significant hypolipidemic agent.

Keywords: Cholesterol induced diet, Hypolipidemic, Atrovastatin, Smilax zeylanica.