The hypolipidemic activity of Cassia tora (Chakvat, Chakunda) (Family: Caesalpiniaceae) seeds extract have been studied in two models of
hyperlipidemia in rats. In an acute model,
hyperlipidemia was induced by injecting a single dose of
Triton WR-1339 (400 mg/kg, b.w.) intraperitonially in rats. Feeding with C. tora seed extract at the dose of 500 mg/kg, b.w. exerted significant
lipid lowering effect as assessed by the reversal of plasma levels of total
cholesterol,
phospholipids,
triglyceride and reactivation of post
heparin lipolytic activity. In the chronic model,
hyperlipidemia was induced by feeding with
cholesterol rich-HFD in rats. The treatment with seeds extract of C. tora (500 mg/kg, b.w.) simultaneously for 15 days also caused lowering of
lipid levels in plasma and liver following reactivation of plasma post
heparin lipolytic activity and hepatic
lipoprotein lipase activity in animals. The hypolipidemic activity of C. tora seeds was compared with a standard
drug guggulipid (200 mg/kg, b.w.) in both models.