Antidyslipidemic activity of hydro-alcoholic extract of Parijata (Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L.) flower in Wistar albino rats

Background: Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L., known as “ Parijata ” is a flowering medicinal plant under the family Oleaceae, native to South-Eastern Asia. Different parts of the plant such as leaf, root, flower, and seeds are used in Ayurveda as laxative, diuretics, digestives, antimicrobial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, etc. Parijata flower is used in the treatment and management of hepato-biliary disease, splenomegaly, colic, inflammatory conditions, dyspepsia, and many disease conditions in Ayurveda and other traditional medicine systems. Objective: To evaluate the antidyslipidemic activity of Parijata ( Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L.) flower hydro-alcoholic extract in Wistar albino rats. Materials and Methods: Parijata flowers collected from the local market were identified by macroscopic and microscopic characterizations. High-performance thin-layer chromatography analysis of hydro-alcohol extract of Parijata flowers was done. For the assessment of antidyslipidemic activity, the extract was administered orally to Wistar albino rats fed with High Fat Diet (HFD) at three different dose levels (1000, 1500, and 2000 mg/kg body weight) for 4 weeks consecutively. Recordings of general clinical observations, weekly body weight measurement, feed and water consumption, organ weight, and serum biochemical examinations of the experimental animals were also carried out. Results: Parijata flower extract at the dosage of 1000 mg/kg, 1500 mg/kg, and 2000 mg/kg body weight significantly reduced Serum triglyceride and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels after 4 weeks of treatment in HFD induced dyslipidemic rats as compared to untreated group. Conclusions: The study showed that Parijata flower extract possess significant antidyslipidemic activity in a dose-dependent manner.