Evaluation of anti-atherosclerotic potential of Tinospora cordifolia in high-fat diet-induced atherosclerosis with associated changes in histological and biochemical parameters on Wistar rats

Abstract

BackgroundAtherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease. Atherosclerosis starts with fatty streak which is an accumulation of lipid-laden foam cells in the intimal layer of the artery. Atherosclerosis is a major cause of vascular disease globally. Hydro-alcoholic extract of Tinospora cordifolia stem possesses hypolipidemic and thrombolytic activity that might be effective in Atherosclerosis. Hence the present study is to determine the anti-atherosclerotic effect of ethyl acetate fraction of stem of Tinospora cordifolia (EATC) in the high-fat diet-induced atherosclerotic model on Wistar rats. Atherosclerosis was induced in male Wistar rats by high-fat diet (cholesterol, cholic acid, Propylthiouracil and salad oil) for 60 days. After completion of induction oral administration of EATC (100, 200 mg/kg) and Atorvastatin (10 mg/ kg) were given to animals for next 20 days. The success of the model was determined by histological and biochemical parameters at 80 days.ResultsEATC was able to significant decreased the raised serum level of total cholesterol, triglyceride, Low Density Lipoprotein, V Low Density Lipoprotein and significant increased the serum High Density Lipoprotein level as compared to the diseased control group. EATC exhibited less damage to the endothelial lining of the aorta and showed significant protective effect by lowering the deposition of cholesterol thereby increasing the lumen size compared to the diseased control group.ConclusionThe present study reveals that Tinospora cordifolia could be a potential source of drug in treatment of Atherosclerosis.