EFFECT OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF CAJANUS CAJAN ON BLOOD LIPIDS AND OXIDATIVE STRESS IN HFD AND FRUCTOSE INDUCED HYPERLIPIDEMIC RATS

Dr. M. Ganga Raju* and Kumara Swamy K. Suvarchala Reddy NVL

ABSTRACT

Objective: The present study was carried out to investigate antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant activity of methanolic root extract of Cajanus cajan. Materials and Methods: The antihyperlipidemic activity was evaluated by using high fat diet (HFD) and fructose induced hyperlipidemic rat models using simvasatin as standard. The extract was also screened for its antioxidant activity by reducing power assay and hydrogen peroxide assay using ascorbic acid as standard. Results: The methanolic root extract of Cajanus cajan (MECC) was evaluated at two dose levels namely 200 and 400 mg/kg bd.wt. MECC has shown significant (p<0.05) lipid lowering activity. The lipid lowering activity might be due to the presence of sterols, flavonoids, triterpenoids and saponins. The extract contains sterols like beta sitosterol and beta sigmasterol which reduces the absorption of cholesterol, increases the fecal excretion of steroids that results in reduction of body lipids. The extract also significantly (p<0.05) scavenged the free radicals. The phenolic constituents present in the extract might be responsible for its antioxidant activity as phenolics possess strong ability to inhibit oxidants and free radicals. Conclusion: From the above it is clear that MECC possess antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant activities.

Keywords: Cajanus cajan, Antihyperlipidemic, Antioxidant activity.