Evaluation of Hypolipidemic Activity of Hibiscus in High-Fat Diet-Induced Hyperlipidemia in Wistar Rats

The global prevalence of obesity is increasing rapidly with high dietary fat intake as a major risk factor for the development of obesity. The present study was aimed at investigating hypolipidemic activity of Hibiscus by in vivo animal model. There is always a need for developing novel drugs with higher efficacy and fewer side effects. Though statins are generally well-tolerated drugs for hyperlipidemia with high efficacy they are not free from adverse effects. Herbal drugs are well known for their cost-effectiveness and minimal side effects. Hibiscus is one such plant with known hypolipidemic activity and wide availability in India. Hence this study is an attempt to verify and evaluate the extent of efficacy of Hibiscus as a hypolipidemic agent. The objective of the study is to compare the hypolipidemic activity of aqueous extract of Hibiscus with that of Rosuvastatin in cholesterol diet-induced hyperlipidemia in rats. Hyperlipidemia was induced in male albino rats of wistar strain in the first 30 days of feeding period and continued in the next 30 days of treatment period. Aqueous extract of Hibiscus (2.5 and 5g/kg, per oral) was administered as test drug in the treatment period. Rosuvastatin (10 mg/kg, per oral) was used as the standard drug. Serum lipid profile, atherogenic index and body weights were estimated for all rats on the day before the start of the feeding period and on day 0,15 and 30 of the treatment period. The results were analyzed statistically using student’s unpaired and paired t-test wherever applicable. Serum lipid levels showed significant reduction (p <0.001) in TC,TG, LDL-C and VLDL-C with significant elevation (p <0.001) of HDL-C in both the Rosuvastatin and test groups, but the percentage reduction in lipid levels, percentage elevation of HDL-C and percentage protection from atherosclerosis was higher in Rosuvastatin group than in test groups. Hibiscus has a definite hypolipidemic potential. Although its effectiveness is lesser than Rosuvastatin its beneficial role as hypolipidemic agent may be tested in clinical studies.