Antihyperlipidemic effect of Ornithogalum cuspidatum hydroalcoholic extract in male albino rats
Abstract
Background: Hyperlipidemia (HLP) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and liver dysfunction and is often managed with synthetic drugs that have adverse effects. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the antihyperlipidemic and organ-protective effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Ornithogalum cuspidatum (O. cuspidatum) in male albino rats. Methods: 30 adult male albino rats were divided into five groups of six animals each. Control negative (CN), high-fat diet (HFD, disease control), atorvastatin-treated (AT, control positive), and then low (600 mg/kg) and high (900 mg/kg) doses of O. cuspidatum extract were administered. All groups, except CN, were induced with HLP. After confirmation of HLP, the patients were treated for 30 consecutive days. Then, the serum lipid profile and liver/kidney function tests were analyzed, along with the liver and kidney tissue’ histopathological evaluations. Results: O. cuspidatum extract significantly reduced total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) levels in hyperlipidemic rats, especially at higher doses. However, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels showed no significant improvement in either treatment group compared with the negative control group. Liver enzyme levels were elevated in the HFD and AT groups but remained near normal in the extract-treated groups, particularly at low doses. Kidney function remained largely unaffected, although the HFD elevated urea levels. The histopathological findings confirmed the protective effects of the extract against liver and kidney damage, with minimal lesions observed in the treated groups. Conclusion: The hydroalcoholic extract of O. cuspidatum exhibits antihyperlipidemic activity and organ-protective effects in rats with HLP. These findings support its potential as a natural therapeutic alternative for managing HLP and associated complications.