Hypolipidemic Effects of Fenugreek and Atorvastatin-Comparative Study on High Fat Fed Dyslipidemic Rats
CC01-CC04
Correspondence
Dr. GV Lathadevi,
Professor, Department of Physiology, PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Peelamedu,
Coimbatore-641004, Tamil Nadu, India.
E-mail: lathaphysio1965@gmail.com
Introduction: Dyslipidemia is the current medical problem of utmost concern with an increased prevalence among the males between 31-40 years. Various extracts from fenugreek (Trigonellafoenum-graecum), methi (in Hindi), have known to have effect on the metabolic parameters, lipid lowing properties being one of them.
Aim: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of fenugreek, one of the commonest Indian spice in lowering the serum lipid levels and comparing its efficacy with lipid lowering properties of a pharmacological agent-atorvastatin so that it could be incorporated as a part of life style modifications among the dyslipidemic individuals.
Materials and Methods: Twenty four adult male Wistar rats were divided equally into four groups. Group A was kept as the control and fed on normal diet. Hyperlipidemia was induced in Groups B, C and D with high fat diet containing groundnut oil cake and dried coconut for 12 weeks. The hyperlipidemic rats were then subjected to the various hypolipidemic regimens. Group B- 2mL emulsion of fenugreek (1 gm/kg/day) orally, Group C- 2mL emulsion of atorvastatin (30 mg/kg/day) orally, Group D- 4mL emulsion of fenugreek and atorvastatin combined. The serum samples were analysed for lipid profile at the beginning and end of four weeks. The statistical analysis for the data collected was done using One-way Anova analysis in the software- SPSS Version 20.0.
Results: Administration of fenugreek to hyperlipidemic rats (Group B) showed a significant reduction of serum triglycerides, cholesterol and body weight (p<0.05) and a significant increase in the serum High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) levels (p<0.05). The serum Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C) values showed a statistical reduction in Group C (p<0.01) administered with atorvastatin monotherapy. In Group D the combination therapy with fenugreek and atorvastatin showed a statistical significant increase of High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) p<0.01.
Conclusion: Fenugreek is proved to be a potent hypolipidemic agent. Lifestyle modification with dietary supplement of fenugreek can be taken as an effective hypolipidemic element initially to combat the increasing risks of dyslipidemia. If they do not respond then the individuals can switch over to pharmacological agents like atorvastatin along with fenugreek to control dyslipidemia.