Hypolipidemic Potential of Bacopa monniera in Cholesterol Fed Rats

In the present study the effect of 70% ethanolic extract of Bacopa monniera Linn. (Scrophulariaceae) whole plant was evaluated on serum and hepatic lipid profiles of hyperlipidemic rats. Experimental hyperlipidemia was induced by feeding cholesterol (500 mg/kg b.wt./day) suspended in coconut oil for 60 days. Feeding with cholesterol resulted in a significant (P<0.001) increase in total cholesterol, triglycerides and phosphotipid levels in serum and liver of rats. Serum LDL-cholesterol was also raised significantly (P<0.001). Serum HDLcholesterol remained significantly unchanged. However, the HDL-cholesterol: total cholesterol ratio declined compared to normal rats. Co-administration of B. monniera extract (100, 250 and 500 mg/kg b.wt.) for 60 days significantly prevented the cholesterol induced rise in the levels of all those parameters in serum and liver dose dependently. The amount of fecal cholesterol excretion was significantly (P<0.05) higher than that rats fed with cholesterol alone. The results of the present investigation suggest that B. monniera extract possesses hypolipidemic activity and could be beneficial in management of hyperlipidemia.