Ameliorative effect of the ethanolic extract of Nardostachys jatamansi against high-fat diet-induced dyslipidemia in Wistar albino rats

Preethi Umanath; Sumathy Govindarajan; Nathiya  Shanmugam

Authors

Preethi Umanath Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India and KMCH Institute of Health Sciences and Research, India
Sumathy Govindarajan Sree Balaji Dental College & Hospital, Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India
Nathiya Shanmugam KMCH Institute of Health Sciences & Research, Coimbatore, India

Keywords:

Dyslipidemia, ethanol extract of Nardostachys jatamansi, high-fat diet, obesity, rosuvastatin

Abstract

Background: Dyslipidemia is a key contributor to metabolic disorders such as oxidative stress and is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Herbal interventions are increasingly preferred due to fewer side effects. Nardostachys jatamansi has demonstrated antioxidant and lipid-lowering properties, but its effects on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced dyslipidemia remain insufficiently studied.

Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and hypolipidemic effects of the ethanol extract of N. jatamansi in an HFD-induced obesity model in male Wistar albino rats.

Methods: Thirty-six male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into 6 groups, each comprising 6 animals. Group I received a normal diet for 9 weeks, whereas Group II was fed an HFD for the same period. Groups III– VI were also fed an HFD throughout the investigation period. From week 5, Group III received rosuvastatin (10 mg/kg), and Groups IV–VI were treated with N. jatamansi extract at 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg, respectively, for 4 weeks. All treatments were administered orally. At the end of the study, the animals were fasted overnight, anesthetized, and blood was collected for lipid and hematological analyses. In addition, the organs were excised for histological evaluation.

Results: N. jatamansi (100, 200, and 300 mg/kg) reversed HFD-induced increases in body weight, fat pad size, organ weight, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, and very low-density lipoprotein levels while restoring high-density lipoprotein levels in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, elevated white blood cells, lymphocyte counts, and serum urea, creatinine, and uric acid levels were normalized. Histological improvements in the liver suggest antioxidant and bioactive effects of N. jatamansi.

Conclusion: Our results revealed that the herbal drug N. jatamansi effectively ameliorates HFD-induced dyslipidemia through its potent antioxidant activity, thereby reducing oxidative stress and restoring lipid homeostasis.

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