“Evaluation of Antihypercholesterolemic Activity of AqueousMethanolic Extract of Polyherbal Formulation comprising Plantagoovate husk, Trigonella foenum-graecum seeds, Nigella sativa seedsand Camellia sinensis leaves”

Abstract

Hyperlipidemia, a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, is highly prevalent in many parts of the world, including Pakistan. The condition is characterized by elevated serum cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, alongside decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, leading to an increased risk of coronary heart disease. Recent successes in developing antihyperlipidemic drugs from plant sources have spurred further exploration of botanicals with potential lipid-lowering properties. Ethnopharmacological approaches in particular have proven effective in identifying new plant-based antihyperlipidemic agents.The present study was conducted to evaluate and validate the antihyperlipidemic effects of a polyherbal formulation consisting of Plantago ovate husk, Trigonella foenum-graecum seeds, Nigella sativa seeds, and Camellia sinensis leaves. These plants were chosen based on their diverse chemical constituents, which have been reported to possess lipid-lowering activities. A crude extract of the polyherbal formulation was prepared and tested on hyperlipidemic Sprague-Dawley albino rats fed an atherogenic diet for 28 days.The study involved seven groups of six rats each. Group I served as the Normal Control, receiving normal feed and normal saline (1 ml/kg/day). Group II, the Positive Control, received a high-fat diet (HFD) along with normal saline. Group III, the Standard Control, was given an HFD plus Atorvastatin (5 mg/kg/day). Groups IV to VII received the HFD along with varying doses of the polyherbal crude extract (30 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 300 mg/kg body weight, respectively). After 28 days of treatment, blood samples were collected via cardiac puncture under anesthesia, and serum lipid profiles were assessed using standard methods. The results showed that rats fed the atherogenic diet exhibited significantly elevated levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and LDL, while HDL levels were significantly decreased. The polyherbal formulation, administered at different dose levels, successfully attenuated these lipid parameters toward normal values in a dose-dependent manner. The highest dose (300 mg/kg) produced the most pronounced lipid-lowering effects.In addition to its efficacy, the polyherbal crude extract was evaluated for acute toxicity in albino mice, demonstrating safety up to an oral dose of 5 g/kg body weight. The study also explored the possible phytochemicals responsible for the antihyperlipidemic activity and discussed potential mechanisms of action. In conclusion, the 70% aqueous methanolic extract of the polyherbal formulation exhibited significant antihyperlipidemic activity, as evidenced by reductions in TC, TG, and LDL-C levels, along with an increase in HDL-C levels and a reduction in body weight gain compared to the positive control group. These findings suggest that the polyherbal formulation could serve as a basis for developing effective therapeutic combinations with reduced side effects and toxicity. However, further studies are warranted to isolate the active constituents and to fully elucidate the exact mechanisms underlying the antihyperlipidemic and anti-obesity effects of this polyherbal formulation.