The effect of Dracocephalum subcapitatum hydroalcoholic extract on dexamethasone-induced hyperlipidemic rats.

Background and purpose: Recent data show the antihyperlipidemic activities of some plants belonging to the genus Dracocephalum. In this study, the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of D. subcapitatum (O. Kuntze) Lipsky aerial parts were evaluated in a model of hyperlipidemia induced by dexamethasone.

Experimental approach: The extract was prepared by maceration method and its total phenolic content was determined. Seven groups of 6 Wistar rats were used as follows: group 1 (normal control) received vehicle; group 2 (extract control) treated only with 200 mg/kg D. subcapitatum; group 3 (hyperlipidemia control) received dexamethasone (10 mg/kg/day, subcutaneously); group 4 (reference) received dexamethasone and atorvastatin (40 mg/kg, orally), and groups 5-7 (test groups) received dexamethasone and simultaneously treated orally with 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg D. subcapitatum. All treatments were done for 1 week. Serum lipid profile, fasting blood glucose, malondialdehyde concentration, and liver histopathology were examined.

Findings/results: Total phenolic content was 77.34 ± 4.9 mg/g as gallic acid equivalent. Treatment with D. subcapitatum (200 mg/kg) meaningfully declined triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, very low-density lipoprotein, blood glucose, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and malondialdehyde levels, and alleviated hepatic steatosis in dexamethasone-induced dyslipidemic rats.

Conclusion and implications: Findings of the current study suggest that D. subcapitatum may be effective in the management of hyperlipidemia. Further studies are necessary to determine the clinical efficacy of this treatment and to understand the underlying mechanisms responsible for its ability to lower lipid levels.