Hypolipidemic effect of ethanolic extract from the leaves of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. in hyperlipidemic rats.

The present study is designed to investigate the hypolipidemic effect of ethanolic extract from the leaves of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (HSEE) in hyperlipidemic rats. In the present work, HSEE was evaluated at three doses (i.e. 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg, orally) in cholesterol-induced (2 g/kg, orally) hyperlipidemic Wistar rats. Atorvastatin (10 mg/kg, orally) was used as the standard drug. Administration of HSEE (200 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg) together with continuous cholesterol feeding for four weeks showed significant reduction in serum cholesterol level by 18.5% and 22%, respectively (p < 0.05); serum triglyceride level by 15.6% and 20.6%, respectively (p < 0.05); serum LDL level by 24% and 30%, respectively (p < 0.05), and serum VLDL level by 15.5% and 20.5%, respectively (p < 0.05), as compared to cholesterol group. However, no significant change in HDL level was observed. HSEE 300 mg/kg was more effective than HSEE 200 mg/kg dose but less effective than the standard drug, atorvastatin. HSEE 100 mg/kg did not show any significant reduction in lipid levels. These results indicate that HSEE exhibit the hypolipidemic effect and among all HSEE groups investigated, HSEE 300 mg/kg has the best hypolipidemic effect.