Phytochemical investigation and experimental evaluation of Panchavalkala for Lekhana Karma w.s.r. to Antihyperlipedemic Activity

Abstract

Panchavalkala the barks of five trees i.e., Nyagrodha (Ficus benghalensis L.), Udumbara (Ficus racemosa L.), Ashwatha (Ficus religiosa L.), Plaksha (Ficus virens Aiton) and Parisha (Thespesia populnea (L.)Sol.ex Correa) are also known as Pancha Ksheeri Vrikshas in use since Vedic period. The plant samples were collected in Sharad Rutu (late autumn) from their natural habitat, extracted using ethanol and water and subjected for the phytochemical analysis. The study was aimed to evaluate Antihyperlipidemic effect (Lekhana Karma) of Panchavalkala Bark extracts individually and in combination (1:1:1:1:1) both in ethanolic and aqueous extracts on serum lipid profile in Cafeteria died (HFD) induced hyperlipidemia in SD rats. The animals were divided into fifteen groups of six animals each. The normal control group continued to be fed laboratory pellet chow ad libitum. The cafeteria diet-control group received the cafeteria diet in addition to the normal pellet diet (NPD). The remaining 13 groups were fed with the cafeteria diet and NPD along with standard control Atorvastatin 10mg/kg and the test drug p.o for 30 days. Treatment with the test substance PVK AE and PVK EE at doses of 200mg/kg body weight p.o. controlled and regulated the HFD induced weight gain, glucose and lipids in the blood when compared against high fat diet control (P< 0.05). PVK bark extracts are capable of exhibiting significant antihyperlipidemic activity in HFD induced SD rats. Taken together, this study strongly suggests that PVK bark extracts might be an efficient way for treatment of hyperlipidemia.