Antihyperlipidemic Activity of Achyranthes aspera Linn Leaves on Cholesterol Induced Hyperlipidemia in Rats

Plants have been one of the important sources of medicines since the beginning of human civilization. Achyranthes aspera Linn. (A.aspera) belonging to family Amaranthaceae, commonly found in India. The plant is used as antiarthritic, purgative, diuretic and antimalarial etc. The antihyperlipidemic activity of alcoholic and aqueous extracts of leaves of A.aspera was evaluated using cholesterol induced hyperlipidemia in albino wistar rats. In this model, 8 groups consist of 6 animals per group. Group I and II were considered as saline and hyperlipidemic controls respectively, and groups III-VIII received respective treatment (ethanolic extract 250 mg, 500 mg, aqueous extract 250mg, 500 mg, Ayurvedic preparation and atorvastatin). All the groups received cholesterol (400 mg/kg b.w. p.o) except saline control for 4 weeks. The serum HDL, LDL, TG, and TC levels were analyzed in cholesterol induced hyperlipidemia where both the extracts of ethanolic and aqueous extract were shown antihyperlipidemic activity compared to hyperlipidemic control.