Lipid Lowering Activity of Lercanidipine in Hyperlipidemic Rats

The present study was aimed at evaluating the lipid lowering activity of lercanidipine, a calcium channel blocker, in standard diet induced hyperlipidemic rats. Hyperlipidemic rats were divided into different groups and were treated with daily oral dose of lercanidipine and atorvastatin for 7 days. On 8 th day, blood samples were collected and analyzed for serum lipid levels using commercial kits. The rats were fed with standard cholesterol diet to induce hyperlipidemia. The effect of lercanidipine on lipid profiles in hyperlipidemic rats was estimated. Like atorvastatin, a standard lipid lowering drug, lercanidipine reduced the cholesterol, triglycerides and low density lipoprotein levels. These findings suggest that anti-hyperlipidemic activity of lercanidipine, which may be used for the treatment of various cardiovascular diseases associated with hyperlipidemia.