Antihyperlipidemic activity of Helicteres isora fruit extract on streptozotocin induced diabetic male wistar rats

Background and Objectives: Herbal medicines have good curative effect on certain diseases especially for diabetes mellitus which needs continuous medication throughout the life. Present day allopathic medicines are costlier and having more side effects which could cause severe damages to the vital organs. Hence, finding a suitable herbal medicine for diabetes mellitus is very important in the current situation. In this present study, the fruit extract of Helicteres isora was used to evaluate the antihyperlipidemic activity in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Material and Methods: Powdered fruits of Helicteres isora were extracted in ethanol and the crude extract was used for the treatment of diabetic rats. Streptozotocin was used to induce the diabetic condition in wistar rats. For the treatment, the drug glibenclamide also used to treat the diabetic rats to compare the efficacy of the herbal extract. After 45 days of treatment, the animals were sacrificed and lipid profiles were estimated in the serum and liver. Results: The serum and liver lipid levels were abnormal in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats than in the control rats. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids, LDL and VLDL were elevated and the HDL level was significantly decreased in diabetic rats. After treated with Helicteres isora fruit extract (HiFE), the lipid levels of diabetic rats were restored to near normal level. Discussion: HiFE has the potential of antihyperlipidemic activity which was proved by the above results. It is suggested that HiFE may have the similar action mechanism of glibenclamide.