EVALUATION OF THE ANTIHYPERLIPIDEMIC POTENTIAL OF JUSTICIA BETONICA (L.) AND VIGNA TRILOBATA (L.) VERDC. IN EXPERIMENTAL RAT MODELS OF HYPERLIPIDEMIA

Abstract

Background: Hyperlipidemia is a major metabolic disorder that significantly contributes to the development of cardiovascular diseases through abnormal lipid metabolism and oxidative stress. Although synthetic lipid-lowering agents are clinically effective, their long-term use is often associated with adverse effects, creating a need for safer plant-derived alternatives. Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the antihyperlipidemic potential of the ethanolic extract of Justicia betonica (L.) and the aqueous extract of Vigna trilobata (L.) Verdc. using acute and chronic experimental models of hyperlipidemia. Methods: The extracts were prepared by Soxhlet extraction and subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening, chromatographic isolation, HPLC, FT-IR, and LC-HRMS characterization. Acute oral toxicity was evaluated according to OECD Guideline 423. Antihyperlipidemic activity was assessed using Triton WR-1339-induced acute and high cholesterol diet-induced chronic hyperlipidemic rat models. Serum lipid profile parameters, including total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), were estimated using commercial diagnostic kits. Results: Both extracts were found to be safe at the tested dose levels with no mortality or treatment-related toxicity. Phytochemical investigation confirmed the presence of flavonoids, phenolics, tannins, alkaloids, terpenoids, and other bioactive constituents. In both experimental models, treatment with the extracts significantly reduced serum TC, TG, LDL-C, and VLDL-C levels while increasing HDL-C in a dose-dependent manner. The 500 mg/kg dose of Justicia betonica produced the greatest lipid-lowering effect, followed by Vigna trilobata, with results approaching those of the standard drug, simvastatin. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that Justicia betonica and Vigna trilobata possess significant antihyperlipidemic activity, which may be attributed to their rich phytochemical composition and antioxidant properties. These results support their potential as promising natural therapeutic agents for the management of hyperlipidemia and related cardiovascular disorders.