Protective role of ferulic acid on carbon tetrachloride-induced hyperlipidemia and histological alterations in experimental rats.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to evaluate the antihyperlipidemic effect of ferulic acid (FA) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-treated rats. METHODS: Female albino rats of the Wistar strain were used in the present study. The rats were divided into four groups: groups 1 and 4 received physiological saline (3 mL/kg body weight/week) by subcutaneous injection, whereas groups 2 and 3 received a subcutaneous injection of CCl4 (3 mL/kg body weight/week) for a total period of 12 weeks. In addition, groups 3 and 4 were administered FA (20 mL/kg body weight) every day for the last 90 days. RESULTS: The results showed significantly (p≤0.05) elevated levels of cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), and free fatty acids (FFA) in the liver and kidney of CCl4-treated rats as compared with those of the controls. In addition, the levels of cholesterol, FFA, phospholipids (PL), and TG were elevated significantly in the circulation. Administration of FA effectively reduced these levels of lipids in the plasma, liver, and kidney of CCl4-treated rats. The PL level was significantly decreased in the liver and kidney of CCl4-treated rats and was positively modulated by FA treatment. Our histopathological observations were also in correlation with the biochemical parameters. CONCLUSIONS: From the results obtained, we could conclude that FA effectively protects the system against hyperlipidemia and may be an effective therapeutic agent for the treatment of this disorder.