Antihyperlipidemic activity of leaf and root extracts of Premna esculenta (Roxb.) in Poloxamer-407 induced hyperlipidemic mice and rats

Abstract

The ethanolic extracts of leaves and roots of Premna esculenta (Roxb.) were evaluated for antihyperlipidemic activity in poloxamer 407 induced hyperlipidemic rats and mice. The administration of the ethanolic extract of leaves induced a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) levels as well as the atherogenic index compared to the P-407 induced hyperlipidemic control mice after 24 h of treatment at a single dose of 500 mg/kg p.o. Both the leaf and root extracts significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the serum TC, TG, VLDL and LDL levels as well as the atherogenic index compared to P-407 induced hyperlipidemic control rats after 4 days of pretreatment at a dose of 250 mg/kg/day p.o. The lipid lowering effects were compared with standard drug atorvastatin (50 mg/kg p.o.). Furthermore, both extracts showed potential to moderate scavenging activity of superoxide, nitric oxide and DPPH free radicals. In DPPH radical scavenging assay the IC50 values of the leaf and root extracts were found to be 425.79 and 20.26 μg/ml, respectively while ascorbic acid has the IC50 value 16.34 μg/ml. The IC50 values of the leaf and root extracts against superoxide radicals were found to be 109.57 and 366.2 μg/ml, respectively which were comparable to that of ascorbic acid (99.66 μg/ml). The findings of the investigation demonstrated both antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant activities of the leaf and root extracts of P. esculenta which could help in prevention of hyperlipidemia associated disorders.