Evaluation of antihyperlipidemic activity of gugulipid alone and in combination with different dosage of atorvastatin in triton-induced hyperlipidemic rodent model: Exploring a possible synergistic activity

Abstract

Background: Gugulipid obtained from Commiphora mukul carries a long history of safe and efficacious use in hyperlipidemia as per Ayurvedic literature. Statins like atorvastatin are a highly prescribed hypolipidemic drug but not free from potentially serious adverse effects. Aims and Objectives: The present study was designed to establish antihyperlipidemic activity of gugulipid in triton-induced hyperlipidemic rats in comparison to atorvastatin and simultaneously to explore the combination of gugulipid and atorvastatin for any synergistic activity. Materials and Methods: Male Wistar albino rats (20) were divided equally into vehicle (2% gum acacia) (Group I), gugulipid only 6.75 mg/kgbw (Group II), atorvastatin 7.2 mg/kgbw only (Group III), and gugulipid 6.75 mg/kgbw and atorvastatin in 7.2 mg/kgbw combination (Group IV) in Phase 1 study. In Phase 2, additional three groups were created with five rats in each receiving gugulipid 6.75 mg/kgbw with atorvastatin at 5.4 mg/kgbw, 3.6 mg/kgbw, and 1.8 mg/kgbw dosage, respectively (Groups V–VII). Hyperlipidemia was induced by single intraperitoneal injection (400 mg/kgbw) of triton after 7 days of feeding with respective agents dissolved in vehicle through oral route. Results: Regarding total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), Gr II was found superior to Gr I but inferior to others (P < 0.01). Gr IV prevented the rise of TC and TG significantly in comparison to Gr V, VI, and VII (P < 0.01) whereas Groups V and VI having non-significant difference in between, both differed significantly (P < 0.01) with Gr VII. Groups IV, V, and VI prevented the rise of serum LDL significantly (P < 0.01) from Group VII. Conclusion: Gugulipid showed significant antihyperlipidemic activity and was found to be optimally efficacious and safe in combination with even reduced dose of atorvastatin.