Herbal Intervention Against Atherosclerosis through the Dual Lipid-Lowering and Antioxidant Actions of Caesalpinia bonducella

This study evaluated the cardioprotective potential of Caesalpinia bonducella (L.) Roxb. seed extracts in obese rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD), aiming to improve fat metabolism, reduce oxidative stress, and prevent harmful lipid accumulation in blood vessels. Thirty-six adult albino rats were divided into six groups: normal control, HFD control, HFD with simvastatin, and HFD with petroleum ether (PTCB), ethyl acetate (EACB), or ethanolic (ETCB) seed extracts (100 mg/kg) for 30 days. Body weight, lipid profile (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides), and oxidative stress markers (catalase and malondialdehyde) were measured. EACB and ETCB extracts significantly lowered total cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides, and malondialdehyde while increasing HDL and catalase, with ETCB showing superior effects. The extracts also reduced HFD-induced weight gain, indicating improved fat metabolism. These results suggest that C. bonducella seed extracts, particularly ETCB, protect against atherosclerosis and oxidative stress, supporting their potential as natural cardioprotective agents and warranting further studies to clarify their underlying molecular mechanisms.