Hypolipidaemic Effects of Gymnema Sylvestre on High Fat Diet Induced Dyslipidaemia in Wistar Rats

Abstract

Introduction: Hyperlipidaemia is a well known risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Lifestyle modification can be the initial step to reduce cholesterol levels. There are various drugs which are used to control dyslipidaemia. Treatment of lipid abnormalities is a lifelong battle. Moreover, the safety and effectiveness of long term lipid lowering treatment are questionable. Gymnema Sylvestre (GS) is a well known herb with various medicinal properties. Aim:To explore the hypolipidaemic activity of GS leaves extract. Materials and Methods:Adult healthy female wistar rats, 30 in number, divided into five groups, weighing 150-200 g were used. Dyslipidaemia was induced in rats by feeding them on high fat diet for four weeks. For the next four weeks GS extract was used as test drug while Atorvastatin was used as standard drug. Blood sample was collected for estimation of lipid profile on day 0, week 4 and week 8.Data was recorded as mean±SEM (Standard error of mean). Paired t-test and one way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) followed by Dunnett's post hoc test was used for comparison. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. SPSS Statistics 20 (IBM software) was used for the analysis.Results: Feeding rats with high fat diet for four weeks led to obesity and dyslipidaemia in rats. GS at both the doses (100mg/ kg and 200mg/kg) significantly improved the lipid profile. Total Cholesterol (TC), Triglycerides (TG), Very Low Density Lipoprotein (VLDL) and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) values reduced significantly while that of High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) increased significantly. GS 200 mg/kg was found more effective than GS 100 mg/kg. GS improved the value of lipid profile significantly but the effect was found inferior to Atorvastatin. Conclusion:From the present study it can be concluded that GS possess an effective hypolipidaemic effect. Hence it can be included as an add on therapy in dyslipidaemia after further confirmatory studies.

Gymnemic acid, a potent antidiabetic agent protects skeletal muscle from hyperglycemia mediated oxidative stress and apoptotic events in High fat and High fructose diet fed adult rats

“…These results also demonstrate that the rats are hyperglycemic and hyperlipidemic, a typical biochemical picture associated with Type 2 diabetes. Our results are supported by Singh et al (2017); Abdul-Ghani and Defronzo (2010), who have demonstrated that HFD fed rats for four weeks provoked obesity and dyslipidaemia. Gymnemic acid or metformin treatment in group III or group IV rats in our study showed a signi icant decrease in body weight, fasting blood glucose and lipid pro ile.…”

“…Gymnemic acid or metformin treatment in group III or group IV rats in our study showed a signi icant decrease in body weight, fasting blood glucose and lipid pro ile. (Kim et al, 2017;Singh et al, 2017) have proved that mice fed with G. Sylvestre extract (500 mg/kg) demonstrate less food and energy ef iciency ratios and less body weight gain when scrutinized with the HFD alone fed group.…”

A comparative study of antihyperglycemic effect of Gymnema sylvestre and metformin in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

“…Both the doses were however inferior to Atorvastatin 10mg/kg. 20 Shanmugasundaram ERB et al conducted a clinical study on 27 patients of Type 1 diabetes on insulin. They found that serum lipids returned to near normal after 10-12 months of treatment.…”

Dyslipidemia and its concept in Unani medicine: A review

“…They can act as Islah-e-Jigar (Hepatoprotective), Muhallil-e-Auram (Anti-inflammatory), Mudirr-e-Baul (Diuretic) and Antioxidant. They can also balance the Akhlat (Humors), such as Badyan (Foeniculm vulgare) [37] , Bikh Ajmod (Apium graveolens) [38] , Gudmar Booti (Gymnema sylvestre) [39] , Halela (Terminalia chebula) [40,41] , Lehsun (Allium sativum) [42,43] , Kaloonji (Nigella Sativa) [42] , Luk Maghsul (Laccifer lacca) [43] , Methi (Trigonella foenum-graecum) [44] , Sandrus (Trachelobium hornemanianum), Saad kofi (Cyperus rotundus), Soya (Anethum sowa) [45] , Sumbuluttib (Valeriana officinalis), Tukhme Karafs (Apium graveolens) [46] and Tukhme Suddab (Ruta graveolens) [47] Kasni (Cichorium intybus) [47] , Maku (Solanum nigrum) [48] , Afsanteen (Artemisia absinthium) [49] , Muquil (Commiphora mukul) [50] , Chhal Arjun (Terminalia arjuna) [51] , Badranjboya (Mellisa officinalis) [52] , Abresham (Bombyx mori) [53] , which have been reported as having antihyperlipidemic activity. Various Unani formulation have been used by physicians, based on their clinical experiences, to manage dyslipidemia and Farbahi such as Safoof Kalonji [54] , Habbe Sundarus [35] , Qurs Luk [55] , Itriphal Sagheer [56] , Majoon Sheer Alvi Khan [57] and Safoof Muhazzil [58,59] .…”