The Effect of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Senna (Cassia Angustifolia Vahl.) on Lipid Profiles in Hyperlipidemic Rats

Abnormality in metabolism of lipids and hyperlipidemia is a risk factor for atherosclerosis which is the major cause of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Several herbal drugs are used for the treatment of dyslipidemia. The present study investigates the effects of hydroalcoholic extracts of Senna extract on serum lipid profile among hyperlipidemic rats.

Forty eight male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups of 8 animals, including group 1) normal pellet diet (control), group 2) high fat diet (HFD), group, 3) HFD with 100 mg/kg Senna extract treatment, group 4) HFD with 200 mg/kg Senna extract treatment, group 5) 100 mg/kg pure Senna extract, and group 6) 200 mg/kg pure Senna extract. All the dietary regimens and Senna extract treatments were continued for 30 days. At the end of the experiment, blood samples collected from heart of rats and the lipid profile levels were measured.

The results indicated that short-term treatment by hydroalcoholic of Senna extract produced a significant reduction in the level of cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL-C (P < 0.05), as well as an increase in HDL-C. The body weight in the HFD group was significantly higher than the other groups (P < 0.05).

Prescription of hydroalcoholic extracts of Senna is effective in the treatment of hyperlipidemia, and can inhibit the weight gain induced by HFD in rats. Some of these effects could be attributed to antioxidants activities, biological and pharmaceutical properties and other protective properties of the Senna extract requiring further investigations