Antihyperlipedemic activity of Cynodon dactylon extract in high-cholesterol diet fed Wistar rats

The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential role of an ethanolic extract of the entire plant of Cynodon dactylon in lowering the plasma lipid parameters in rats fed a high cholesterol diet. Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into four groups of six and for 45 days were administered either: 0.5 ml water (negative controls); 30 mg cholesterol (hypercholesterolemic animals); C dactylon extract at 400 mg/kg body weight (positive control); or the same doses of both cholesterol and the extract (test animals). The effects of C dactylon on the lipid profile were assessed by measuring the plasma concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-c). Administration of cholesterol showed significant elevation (p < 0.001) of TC, LDL-c, VLDL-c, and TG concentrations, and of the TC:HDL-c ratio (p < 0.05). Concurrent administration of C dactylon extract caused a significant decrease (p < 0.001) in the concentrations of serum TC, LDL, HDL, VLDL TGs when compared with cholesterol fed control rats. The TC:HDL-c ratio was also declined significantly (p < 0.001). These results suggest lipid-lowering effects of C dactylon, which serves as a new potential natural product for preventing hyperlipidemia.