ABSTRACT

Effect of Withania somnifera aqueous root extract on high cholesterol diet rats was investigated. Obesity was induced in rats by giving high cholesterol diet (coconut oil, grains, sugar, etc.) for seven days in standard rat chow diet. The aqueous extract of Withania somnifera (100,200 mg/kg body weight) was orally administered once a day to rats fed a high cholesterol diet for 30 days. High cholesterol-fed diet rats exhibited a significant increase in total serum cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoproteins, very low-density lipoproteins and a significant decrease in high-density lipoproteins. Treatment with aqueous extract of Withania somnifera significantly decreased total serum cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoproteins, very low-density lipoproteins and increased the high-density lipoproteins in obese rats and was comparable with that of standard Atorvastatin. After completion of experiment rats were anesthetized with Isoflurane and sacrificed and the atheroscelerotic lesions in the aorta were assessed. The obtained results of the investigation of all 5 groups were compared and found with significant inhibition of atheroscelerotic plaque formation. Although a clear dose-dependent relationship was observed at the applied doses. Hence, it was concluded that significant anti-obese and atherosclerotic activities of Withania somnifera may be due to the presence of carbohydrates, tannins, phenols, flavonoids, proteins, amino acids and saponins found in the preliminary phytochemical screening. Keywords: Withania somnifera, aqueous root extract, high cholesterol diet fed rats
Publication date: 01/12/2022

https://ijbpas.com/pdf/2022/December/MS_IJBPAS_2022_6688.pdf

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https://doi.org/10.31032/IJBPAS/2022/11.12.6688