Role of Boswellia ovalifoliolata Bal. Henry extract on high fat diet induced hypercholesterolemia

Objective: To evaluate the Antihypercholesterolemic effect of Boswellia ovalifoliolata Bal. Henry extract by performing in vivo studies and to check out its effects by evaluating parameters like food consumption, weight gain, fecal fat excretion, serum and liver lipid &biochemical profiles. Even the study includes confirmation of activity by the histopathological studies. Methods: Animals were fed with cholesterol rich high fat diet. Food intake, Body weight and fecal fat excretion were measured. Serum and liver samples were analyzed for the estimation of lipid profiles and other biochemical parameters by using different kits. Histopathological study on liver, aorta, heart and adipose tissue was done to ensure the activity. Results: The animal group administered with methanolic extract of the plant has shown decreased levels of TC, LDL, VLDL, TG, HDL+VLDL, VLDL+LDL, LDL/TC, AI, SGOT, SGPT and elevated levels of HDL, HDL/TC in a dose dependent manner significantly (p<0.01 & p<0.05). The evaluation of liver tissue of animal groups treated with herbal extract and standard had shown increased levels of SOD, GSH and Catalase, whereas levels of SGOT, SGPT, Total glucose, HMG-CoA, lipase, amylase and percentage of monaldehyde were decreased when compared with high fat diet fed rats. Body weight and Food intake in treated groups were significantly lower than that in model control. Conclusion: It can be confered from the present studies that the Boswellia ovalifoliolata Bal. Henry extract have strong activity against hypercholesterolemia and obesity suggesting a potential benefit as antihypercholesterolemic agent.

key words: Boswellia ovalifoliolata Bal. Henry, High fat diet, Lipid profile, Histopathological studies.