Hypolipidaemic Activity of Rauwolfia serpentina Benth

Hypolipidaemic activity of Rauwolfia serpentina benth was investigated to provide a base for isolation of active principle and to validate its use for the control of hyperlipidaemia, the major cause of cardiovascular diseases prevailing worldwide. Twelve days trial was done with oral administration of root powder of R. serpentina (30 mg/kg) and distilled water (1 ml/kg) in test and control rabbits respectively. The blood was collected from each group on 1st, 4th, 8th and 12th day to estimate serum Triglycerides (TG), Total Cholesterol (TC), Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL-C), High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH). Gradual decrease observed in TG and LDL-C levels from 204.76-111.94 and 33.31-10.85 mg/dL, respectively in test when compared with control rabbits (p<0.0001). Similarly, TC was significantly decreased when compared 1st-12th day of treatment in test group (p<0.0001) and test on 12 day compared with control (p<0.05). However, HDL-C remained constant in test rabbits throughout the study but found higher than control (p<0.05). ALT and LDH levels were found normal. According to the data, root powder of R. serpentina has hypotriglyceridemic and hypocholesterolemic effects with undetectable side effects on liver and cardiac functions.