Abstract

BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND HYPOLIPIDEMIC ACTIVITY OF NELUMBO NUCIFERA (GAERTN,) FLOWERS

K. Gayathri* and R. Dhevi 

Abstract

Globally, numerous hypolipidemic and cardioprotective herbs are commonly used by traditional practitioners. Nelumbo nucifera (Gaertn) (NN) flowers are commonly used s as cardio-tonic agent. In this study, chemical characterization and the hypolipidemic activity of hydroalcoholic extract of NN was carried out. The hypolipidemic effect was evaluated in Triton WR-1339 induced hyperlipidemic animals. The chemical characterization of NN extract was carried out with GC-MS analysis. The GC-MS analysis of methanolic fraction separated from 70 % ethanolic extract of NN showed the presence of fatty acids, nornuciferine and apomorphine. In Triton WR 1339 induced hyperlipidemic rats, animals pre-treated with NN (1000 mg- 1kg b.wt,-1day (p.o.)) for 7 days were seen to significantly (p

Keywords: lipid profile, atorvastatin, GC-MS, Triton WR-1339.