Protective effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of Tripodanthus acutifolius in hypercholesterolemic Wistar rats

Abstract Cardiovascular disease (CVD) are a major public health problem, as they are among the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Tripodanthus acutifolius (TA) is a hemiparasite plant used for medicinal purposes with great antioxidant capacity. However, little is known about its hypolipemic effect. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of Tripodanthus acutifolius leaves in hypercholesterolemic Wistar rats. The animals were divided into: (1) NC (Normocaloric Control); (2) HC (Hypercaloric Control); (3) Oral Simvastatin Suspension 10 mg/kg (SIM); (4) TA extract 50 mg/kg (TA 50 mg/kg) and (5) TA 100 mg/kg. The in vitro antioxidant activity assay demonstrated that TA shows high antioxidant capacity. The in vivo findings demonstrated that TA supplementation resulted in significant decreases (p