Hypolipidemic effect of dill essential oil in hyperlipidemic rats

Hyperlipidemia is one of the most important risk factors of cardiovascular disease. The aim of present study was to evaluate the effect of essential oil dill on the lipid profile in hyperlipidemic rats.
Thirty-six adult male rats were divided into 6 groups including normal group, control hyperlipidemic group (received 10% lipid in food), hyperlipidemic rats (received atorvastatin at dose of 10 mg/kg, daily) and experimental hyperlipidemic rats (received essential oil of dill at doses 0.5, 1 and 2 ml/kg, daily). After 8 weeks and 12 h fastening, the animals were weighted and anesthetized by ether. The blood and liver sampling was done. The serum cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, HDL, VLDL, AST and ALT levels were measured by kit. The liver sections were stained by haematocilin-eosin method.
The result showed that oral treatment of atorvastatin and essential oil of dill decreased weight gain, serum cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, VLDL, AST and ALT levels and liver damaged, while increased serum HDL level in experimental rats in comparison to control hyperlipidemic rats, significantly. So, essential oil of dill improved lipid profile in hyperlipidemic animal and has antioxidant effect with improving liver tissue and function.