A Study of the Antihyperlipidemic and Antioxidant Activities of Ethanolic Extracts of Leaves of Houttuynia cordata Thunb . (EELHC) in Albino Rats

The present study was designed to evaluate the antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant activities of leaves of Houttuynia cordata Thunb. The ethanolic extract was obtained by percolation method and acute oral toxicity tests were performed according to OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) guidelines. Hyperlipidaemia was induced by feeding the rats with a high-fat diet consisting of coconut oil and vanaspati ghee, in a ratio of 2:3 v/v at a dose of 10 ml/Kg body weight. The extract was given at a dose of 500mg/kg body weight. Lipid profile, Malondialdehyde (MDA), Catalase (CAT), and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) were measured using standard methods. The extract showed a significant decrease in total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and MDA in the blood. On the other hand, HDL, CAT, and SOD increased significantly. The study demonstrates that the ethanolic extract of leaves of Houttuynia cordata Thunb., decreases blood lipid levels and lipid peroxidation. Keywords: Antihyperlipidemic, Antioxidant, Houttuynia cordata Thunb, EELHC