Ameliorative Effect of Withania coagulans on Experimentally-Induced Hyperlipidemia in Rabbits

The present study is associated with the evaluation of phytochemical and antihyperlipidemic effect of Methanolic Fruit Extract (MFEt) of Withania coagulans on experimentally-induced hyperlipidemia in rabbits. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis of MFEt was performed by standard methods. The extract didn't induce any behavior change or mortality in rabbits up to 2000 mg/kg. In hyperlipidemic model, rabbits were divided into four control groups including control, hyperlipidemic control (both treated with distilled water 1 ml/kg), negative control (0.05% Di Methyl Sulphoxide 1 ml/kg), positive control (Simvastatin 20 mg/kg) and three test groups (MFEt 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg). On completion of 14 days trial, rabbits were sacrificed to collect serum and liver tissues to estimate lipid profile, Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Creatine Kinase (CK), Catalase (CAT), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Lipid Peroxidation (LPO), HMG-CoA reductase activity and Coronary Risk Index (CRI). Quantitatively MFEt is found rich in total phenols especially flavonoids besides showing variety of constituents qualitatively. All the three doses (200, 400 and 600 mg/kg) of MFEt significantly increased serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and decreased total cholesterol, HMG-CoA reductase activity, triglycerides, very low-density and low-density lipoproteins with improved LPO and CRI (p < 0.05) in test groups as compared to hyperlipidemic groups. In addition, normal ALT and CK levels and decreased percent inhibition of CAT and SOD were observed in test groups. The results concluded that MFEt of W. coagulans maintain lipid homeostasis by elevating the status of antioxidant enzymes and thereby minimizing the coronary risk in hyperlipidemic rabbits.