Abstract

ANTIHYPERLIPIDEMIC ACTIVITY OF ALCOHOLIC EXTRACT OF CINNAMOMUM MALABATRUM BURM. ON CHOLESTEROL DIET INDUCED RATS

Natarajan P*, Sumi John, Thangathirupathi A, Kala R

Abstract

Hyperlipidemia is an increase (hyper) in the lipids (lipi), which are a group of fats or fatlike substances in the blood (emia). The aim of the study was to reduce the elevated levels of lipids in the blood thus reduce the risk factors responsible for developing ischemic heart disease or the occurrence of further cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases using ethanolic extract of leavs of Cinnamomum malabatrum on hyperlipidemic rats. The plant extract showed significant decrease in levels of TC, TGs, LDL, VLDL and a significant increase in HDL cholesterol. They also reduced the atherogenic index (A.I) and LDL/HDL ratio when compared to hyperlipidemic control group. Atorvastatin and Cinnamomum malabatrum leaf extract resulted in significant increase in the antioxidant enzymes activities and GSH contents in liver and heart homogenate. Alcoholic extract of Cinnamomum malabatrum produced significant increase in HMG Co-A / mevalonate ratio in liver as compared to normal group shows that it blocks the HMG Co-A reductase activity. The phytochemical screening reveals the presence of many components responsible for its antioxidant and hypolipidemic activity which includes phenolics, flavinoids, saponins and the pharmacological effects may be due to its presence.

Keywords: Hyperlidemia, Cinnamomum malabatrum, Atorvastatin, Lipid profile.