Protective Effect of Terminalia chebula Extract in Doxorubicin Induced Hyperlipidemic Rats

Aim: To study the anti-hyperlipidemic activity of Terminalia chebula in rats.

Study Design: Hyperlipidemia was induced by administering doxorubicin and the effect of Terminalia chebula was studied in male and female rats.

Methodology: Three doses of hydroalcoholic extract of Terminalia chebula (0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 gm/kg, body weight, per orally for 28 days) was tested against the doxorubicin (0.25 mg/kg, intra-peritoneal, 6 doses for 12 days) in male and female rats. Serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL-cholesterol) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL-cholesterol) were estimated. The antioxidant effect was determined by estimating the serum peroxidation levels. The result of the data was analyzed statistically by One-way Anova followed by Bonferroni comparison test. p<0.05 was considered to indicate the significance of the results.

Results and Discussion: The data indicated that a dose-dependent significant (p<0.05) reversal was observed in the doxorubicin-induced elevated total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol and diminished HDL-cholesterol upon treatment with Terminalia chebula in male rats. In the female rats, only the highest tested dose of Terminalia chebula (1 gm/kg) produced the inhibitory effect in the elevated lipid levels without affecting significantly the HDL-cholesterol activity. Further, when Terminalia chebula was tested separately at 0.5 g before and after the administration of doxorubicin, a significant inhibition was observed in the post treatment in both sexes. Serum lipid peroxidation was found to be significantly (p<0.05) reduced by the extract compared to the doxorubicin group.

Conclusion: The results suggest that Terminalia chebula extract might have the potential to reduce doxorubicin-induced hyperlipidemic complications if administered together or after the doxorubicin therapy.