ABSTRACT:
Hyperlipidemia is the greatest risk factor of coronary heart disease. Currently available hypolipidemic drugs have been associated with number of side effects. Herbal treatment for hyperlipidemia has no side effects and is relatively cheap and locally available. Literature claims that Saponins are able to reduce hyperlipidemia. Based on high saponin content in herbal plants, Sapindus emarginatus (SE) was selected and the present study focus on the anti-hyperlipidemic activity of methanol extract of pericarps of SE against Triton induced hyperlipidemia in rats. SE was administered at a dose of 100 and 200mg/kg (p.o) to Triton induced hyperlipidemic rats. Fenofibrate was used as reference standard. The statistical analyses were carried out using one way ANOVA followed by Dunnet’s multiple comparisons test.SE shows a significant decrease in the levels of serum cholesterol, phospholipid, triglyceride, LDL, VLDL and significant increase in the level of serum HDL at the dose of 100 and 200mg/kg (p.o) against Triton induced hyperlipidemic in rats. Methanol extracts decreased serum level of total cholesterol by 69.72%. On the other hand aqueous extract of SE increased the serum HDL cholesterol level by 24.11%. The reduction of LDL cholesterol level by extract was 30.31%.