A STUDY OF THE HYPOLIPIDEMIC AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES OF BAMBUSA BALCOOA IN EXPERIMENTALLY INDUCED HYPERLIPIDEMIA IN RABBITS

Objective: The study was carried out to investigate the possible hypolipidemic and antioxidant properties of the shoot extract of Bambusa balcooa in experimentally induced hyperlipidemia in rabbits. Methods: Ethanolic extract of shoot of Bambusa balcooa (EELBB) was evaluated for hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities using 400 mg/kg body weight per day in a high fat diet induced hyperlipidemia in rabbits. The results were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Bonferroni’s multiple comparison tests and compared to the normal control, experimental control and the standard drug (atorvastatin 2.1 mg/kg body weight per day) groups. The results were expressed as mean±standard deviation (SD). Values with p< 0.05 were considered significant. Results: Oral administration of EELBB resulted in decrease in Total Cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and a significant increase in the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) when compared to the experimental control group. There were also significantly elevated catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and significantly lower malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the test group compared to the experimental group. Similar results were also found in the standard drug group. Conclusion: The results of our experiment demonstrated that Bambusa balcoaa possesses significant antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant activities. Hence it could be a more affordable and accessible potential alternative or complement existing anti hyperlipidemic drugs, ameliorating side effects and increasing efficacy.