Role of Hydroalcoholic Extracts of Aegle marmelos (AM) Leaves and Tamarindus indica (TI) Seeds on High Fat High Sugar Diet Induced Hyperlipidemia in Rodent Models

Hyperlipidemia is an increase in plasma levels of lipids (cholesterol, triglycerides) and various lipoproteins. Though many drugs have been used for controlling hyperlipidemia, yet most of them have unpleasant side effects, which has stimulated the search for natural remedies. Hypolipidemic activity of hydroalcoholic extracts of Aegle marmelos (AM) leaves and Tamarindus indica (TI) seed alone and in combination on High Fat High Sugar (Fructose) Diet (HFHSD) induced hyperlipidemia in male rats was evaluated in this study. Out of 54 male Sprague Dawley rats, six received standard diet (Group I, normal control) throughout the study. The remaining 48 rats were fed orally with HFHSD for 30 days to induce hyperlipidemia (plasma cholesterol level >200 mg/dL). For the next thirty days, rats which had received HFHSD were divided into 8 groups with six animals in each. Group II- HFHSD control received standard diet, Group III- positive control (Niacin, 100 mg/kg/day), Group IV - AM25 (25 mg/kg/day), Group V - AM50 (50 mg/kg/day), Group VI - TI25 (25 mg/kg/day), Group VII - TI50 (50mg/kg/ day), Groups VIII - AM25+TI25 (25 + 25 mg/kg/day) and Group IX - AM50+TI50 (50 + 50 mg/ kg/day). Treatment of HFHSD fed rats with each extract alone and in combination resulted in a significant decrease in plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and VLDL and increase in HDL levels. Treatment with AM50+TI50 significantly lowered plasma cholesterol (p<0.001), triglycerides (p<0.001) and increased HDL cholesterol levels (p<0.05), in comparison to positive control. Both the extracts alone and in combination exerted hypolipidemic effect in rats.