Hypolipidemic and Hypocholesterolemic Effect of Elephantopus scaber in Streptozotocin Diabetic Rats

摘要

Background and Objective: Elephantopus scaber (Asteraceae) is widely used in traditional system of medicine to treat diabetes and its complications in India. The parts of this herb have been used traditionally for the treatment of a number of diseases in many countries. This plant has been reported to possess several biological properties. This study aims to investigate the anti-cholesterolemic potential of Elephantopus scaber , a plant already reported to possess antidiabetic activity. Methodology: The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of various extracts of the chosen plant roots on serum lipids in STZ induced diabetic rats . Elephantopus scaber methanol, hexane and acetone extracts (150 mg kg^?1 b.wt.) were administered orally for 60 days to streptozotocin (STZ) (60 mg kg^?1 b.wt.) induced male diabetic wistar rats . Humulin and glibenclamide were also administered for 60 days to streptozotocin (STZ) (60 mg kg^?1 b.wt.) induced male diabetic wistar rats . On the 61st day, the animals were sacrificed and the blood collected was tested for cholesterol, LDL, HDL and VLDL, respectively. Results: Data was analyzed using analysis of variance and student's t-test and a level of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Administration of the different extracts of E. scaber brought about a significant reduction in serum cholesterol, LDL, VLDL and triglycerides and increase in the HDL-cholesterol in diabetic rats . Conclusion: Hence, this study proves the protective and restorative effect of E. scaber in reverting the lipid alterations and complications of diabetes. Due to such attributes, E. scaber can be a source of potent drug to mitigate the complications of diabetes.