ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible antihyperlipidemic effect of Pongamia pinnata (Leguminosae) leaf extract in triton (400 mg/kg b.w.) induced and atherogenic diet induced hyperlipidemic rats. Petroleum ether, chloroform, ethanol and aqueous extracts of leaves were evaluated for antihyperlipidemic. Antihyperlipidemic drug simvastatin (10mg/kg body wt.) was used as a positive control. The results of the study were expressed as mean± S.E.M. and data was analyzed by using one way analysis of variance test (ANOVA) followed by Dunnett’s t-test for multiple comparisons. In diet induced model, chloroform extract showed significant serum lipid lowering parameters like total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein (LDL), very low density lipopreotein (VLDL) and increase in high density lipoprotein (HDL) in hyperlipidemic rats of both models as compared to hyperlipidemic control statistically. In triton induced model, oral administration of (500 mg/kg body wt.) of the chloroform extract and alcoholic extract were able to reduce serum lipid level significantly as compared to hyperlipidemic control. Our results demonstrated that chloroform extract of P. pinnata leaves possessed significant antihyperlipidemic activity hence it could be a potential herbal medicine as adjuvant with existing therapy for the treatment of hyperlipidemia.