Anti-Atherosclerotic Activity of Lagenaria Siceraria in Experimentally Induced Atherosclerosis in C57BL6J Female Mice

Abstract

Atherosclerosis is one of the prominent cardiovascular disease which is preventable and is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Currently lipid lowering agents like statins offer some protection, but is associated with drawbacks. The authentic ancient Ayurvedic text books mention that Lagenaria Siceraria (LS) has a heart strengthening property. Hence we undertook this study with the aim of evaluating the anti-atherosclerotic and hypo-lipidemic effect of Ethanolic extract of Lagenaria siceraria(EELS). Atherosclerosis was induced in experimental C57 BL6J mice with high cholesterol diet and the effect of EELS on atherosclerosis, blood lipid levels and liver histopathology were observed. We observed that 3 doses of EELS (160,320 and 640) significantly (p< 0.05) reduced the histopatological grading of atherosclerosis; additionally the mean lesion area was significantly lower (p<0.05) in all the EELS treated groups. However, in both the histo-pathological grades and lesion area the results were not comparable to Atorvastatin. Similarly the histo-pathological grades of liver were improved significantly (p<0.001) in all the EELS treated groups than the disease control. The serum total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were reduced with EELS with 3 doses of EELS. The serum LDL and VLDL levels were significantly lowered with 3 doses of EELS and the effect was comparable to Atorvastatin. It can be concluded that the EELS in doses of 160,320 and 640 mg/kg showed a prominent anti-atherosclerotic effect in the mice (C57 BL6J).