Protective effects of Strychnos potatorum Linn. seeds extract in hyperlipidemic rat model

To investigate the antihyperlipidemic activity of aqueous extract of Strychnos potatorum Linn. seeds in experimentally induced hyperlipidemia in rats.

Hyperlipidemia was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of triton WR 1339 (Tyloxapol) at a dose of 400mg/kg in rats. The doses of 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg of aqueous extract of Strychnos potatorum Linn. seeds were evaluated for their actions on serum lipid profile. Atorvastatin at a dose of 10mg/kg was used as standard drug. Aqueous extract doses and Atorvastatin were given orally, once immediately and after 24 hours of triton WR 1339 administration. Serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein cholesterol and high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were estimated after 6 hour, 24 hour and 48 hour of triton WR 1339 administration.

Aqueous extracts of Strychnos potatorum significantly (p <0.05) reduced serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in dose dependent and time dependent manner when compared to hyperlipidemic group.

The findings of the investigation suggest that aqueous extract of Strychnos potatorum seeds exhibited quite competitive potential when compared with reference drug Atorvastatin against experimentally induced hyperlipidemia.