Antihypercholesterolemic effect of Bacopa monniera linn. on high cholesterol diet induced hypercholesterolemia in rats

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of alcoholic extract of Bacopa monniera (AEBM) on high cholesterol diet-induced rats. METHODS: The shade-dried and coarsely powdered whole plant material (Bacopa monniera) was extracted with 90% ethanol, finally filtered and dried in vacuum pump. The experimental rats were divided into 4 groups: control (group-I), Rats fed with hypercholesterolemic diet (HCD) for 45 days [4% cholesterol (w/w) and 1% cholic acid], Rats fed with HCD for 45 days+AEBM (40mg/kg, body weight/day orally) for last 30 days (group-III) and AEBM alone (group-IV). Blood and tissues (Aorta) were removed to ice cold containers for various biochemical and histological analysis. RESULTS: AEBM treatment significantly decreased the levels of TC, TG, PL, LDL, VLDL, atherogenic index, LDL/HDL ratio, and TC/HDL ratio but significantly increased the level of HDL when compared to HCD induced rats. Activities on liver antioxidant status (SOD, CAT, GPx, GR, GST) were significantly raised with concomitant reduction in the level of LPO were obtained in AEBM treated rats when compared to HCD rats. Treatment with AEBM significantly lowered the activity of SGOT, LDH and CPK. Histopathology of aorta of cholesterol fed rat showed intimal thickening and foam cell deposition were noted. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggests that AEBM extended protection against various biochemical changes and aortic pathology in hypercholesterolemic rats. Thus the plant may therefore be useful for therapeutic treatment of clinical conditions associated hypercholesterolemia.