Anti-Hyperlipidemic Activity of Vateria indica Linn. Seed Butter in High Fat Diet Induced Hyperlipidemia in Rats

Introduction: Use of medicinal herbs in the form of food is a famous Ayurvedic art of life prescribed before traditions. Vateria indica Linn. (Sarja) seed butter (Indian tallow) forms a source of edible oil in the household of Udupi and Dakshina kannada Districts of Karnataka. Research and addition of therapeutically useful species enables to preserve the local wealth of tradition and also enriches the existing pharmacopeia. Hence an experimental study was planned to evaluate anti hyperlipidemic activity of V. indica seed butter in albino rats against high fat diet induced hyperlipidemia in Wistar albino rats. Methodology: The 40 animals were divided into five different groups consisting of six rats each. The first normal control group maintained with normal rat diet and water ad libitum. The second positive control group was administered with hyperlipidemic diet (40% cholesterol suspended in hydrogenated vegetable oil, 0.5 ml/100g). The third standard group was administered with Atorvastatin (10mg/kg po). The fourth and fifth trial groups were administered with V. indica seed butter single and double dose (0.43 & 0.86 ml/kg body weight) respectively. Results: The test drug exhibited marginal, moderate increase in HDL cholesterol, moderate decrease in LDL cholesterol, marked reduction in triglycerides with nephroprotective activity. Conclusion: Vateria indica seed butter produced significant anti-hyperlipidemic activity through normalizing the serum lipid profile. Cytoprotective action has also been revealed by the histopathological examination of liver, heart and kidney tissue.