The flower extract of Cassia auriculata, herb has been used traditionally in India for medicinal purposes. The plant has been reported to treat
hyperglycemia and associated
hyperlipidemia.
Hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress are known to accelerate
coronary artery disease and progression of atherosclerotic lesions. The present work was undertaken to investigate the possible
antihyperlipidemic and antioxidative effect of C. auriculata flower on hyperlipidemic rats.
Hyperlipidemia was induced in rats by a single intravenous (iv) injection of
Triton WR 1339 (300 mg/kg b.w.) and it showed sustained elevated levels of serum
cholesterol and
triglyceride. Ethanolic extract of C. auriculata flowers (Et-CAF) (150, 300, 450 mg/kg b.w./day) was administered to normal and hyperlipidemic rats for 14 days. Serum and liver tissue were analysed at three different time intervals for
lipid profile, lipid peroxidation products,
antioxidants enzymes and the activity were compared to the
cholesterol-lowering
drug,
lovastatin (10 mg/kg/b.w.). Parameters were altered during
hyperlipidemia and reverted back to near normal values after Et-CAF treatment or standard
drug lovastatin. Lipid peroxidation decreased whereas the activities of
superoxide dismutase,
glutathione peroxidase and
catalase increased in Et-CAF treated rats. Pronounced changes were observed at 450 mg/kg b.w. of Et-CAF for 2 weeks and it was comparable to the standard
drug lovastatin. The current study provides a strong evidence that Et-CAF has a beneficial effect in treating
hyperlipidemia and ROS without any side effects at the dosage and duration studied.