Evaluation of antihyperlipidemic activity of ethanolic extract of <i style="">Cassia auriculata</i> flowers

Abstract

Hyperlipidemia is a major risk factor for development of coronary artery disease. <i style="">Cassia auriculata</i> is traditionally used in India for medicinal purposes. In this study, effect of ethanolic extract of<i> </i><i style="">Cassia auriculata </i>flowers<i style=""> (Et-CAF)</i> was investigated in Triton WR1339-induced hyperlipidemic rats. Treatment with the <i style="">Et-CAF </i>(450 mg/kg b.wt) significantly reduced the total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL) levels and significantly increased the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level associated with reduction of atherogenic index in hyperlipidemic rats. However, there was no change in the serum lipid profile of normal rats treated with <i style="">Et-CAF </i>alone<i style="">. </i>The results suggest that <i style="">Et-CAF</i> has a beneficial effect in treating hyperlipidemia and may serve as a potential drug for prevention of hyperlipidemic atherosclerosis.