Anti hyperlipidemic Activity of Flowers of Punica granatum in Poloxamer-407 Induced Hyperlipidemic Mice Model

Introduction: The methanolic partitionate of pet ether extract of flowers of Punica granatum (Family: Punicaceae) was evaluated for antihyperlipidemic activity in poloxamer 407 induced hyperlipidemic mice. Methods: Hyperlipidemia was induced in mice by i.p. injection of poloxamer 407 (30% w/w in distilled cool water; 600 mg/kg) and 2 hours after the administration of P-407, the mice of reference group were administered with atorvastatin (50 mg/kg p.o.), while test group received the methanolic partitionate of pet ether extract of flowers of Punica granatum (500 mg/kg p.o). After 15 and 24 hour of treatment, serum lipid profiles were investigated using commercially available kits. Results: The administration of the flower extracts significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the serum levels of triglycerides (TG) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) as well as the atherogenic index (A.I.) and significantly increased the serum high density lipoprotein (HDL) level compared to the P-407 induced hyperlipidemic control mice after 15 h of treatment at a single dose of 500 mg/kg p.o. After 24 h of treatment, the extract induced a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in serum total cholesterol (TC), VLDL, low density lipoprotein (LDL) as well as the atherogenic index and significant increase in HDL levels, when compared to P-407 control group. All these effects were comparable to those of the reference standard, atorvastatin. Conclusions: The results of the investigation demonstrated that the flower extract of Punica granatum has potential antihyperlipidemic activity and might be used for the prevention of hyperlipidemia associated disorders.