Evaluation of Anti-Hyperlipidemic Potential of Prosopis cineraria Extract Against High Fat Diet Induced Hyperlipidemia in Laboratory Rat

Background and Objective: In development and progression of atherosclerosis, hypercholesterolemia plays a vital role. Prosopis cineraria L. Druce family, Fabaceae, Leguminosae reported to have various pharmacological potential. Hence, the aim of the present investigation was to evaluate its anti-hyperlipidemic potential against High Fat Diet (HFD) induced hyperlipidemia in the laboratory rat. Methodology: High fat diet fed was administered in sprague-Dawley rats (180-220 gm) for 60 days to induced hyperlipidemia. Rat co-administered with either aqueous extract of Prosopis cineraria fruit (AQ-PCF) or ethanolic extract of Prosopis cineraria fruit (ET-PCF) or petroleum ether extract of Prosopis cineraria fruit (PE-PCF) at a dose of 100, 200 and 400 mg kgG1, p.o. Results: Administration of AQ-PCF (400 mg kgG1) and PE-PCF (200 and 400 mg kgG1) showed significant inhibition in HFD induced alterations in triglyceride, cholesterol, High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDLC), Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDLC) and Very Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (VLDLC) whereas, LDL to HDL ratio and atherogenic index were significantly and dose-dependently decreased by PE-PCF (200 and 400 mg kgG1) treatment as compared to HFD control rats. Administration of ET-PCF (200 and 400 mg kgG1) showed significant and dose-dependent inhibition in HFD induced alterations in triglyceride, cholesterol and HDLC levels whereas, LDLC, VLDLC, LDL-HDL ratio and atherogenic index were significantly inhibited as compared to HFD control group. Conclusion: Findings of present investigation suggest that presence of bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, glycosides and phenolic contents from Prosopis cineraria extract may cause depletion of deposited lipid content from peripheral tissues by reverse cholesterol transport and inhibit foam cell formation.