Effect of Ethanolic Extract of Walnut Leaves on Lipid Profile and Atherogenic index in Hypercholesterolemic Rats

Aims: To determine the effect of Ethanolic extract of walnut leaves on lipid profile i.e seum total cholesterol, triglycerides, Low density and high-density lipoprotein. Atherogenic index in Hypercholesterolemic rats was calculated using serum TC/HDL and LDL/HDL ratios. Methodology: Total 30 male Sprague Dawley rats were further divided into three groups (C, HC and EE) comprising ten rats per group. Group 1 (Control group, C). Group 2 (Hypercholesterolemic control, HC) and Group 3 (Ethanolic Extract Group EE) were fed high fat diet for 8 weeks before administration of walnut leaf extract. Ethanolic extract (EE) of walnut leaves was given in a dose of (200mg/kg) through gavage needle once daily for four weeks. Blood Sampling was done at the beginning (Baseline, after week 8 and week 12 to perform lipid profile. Results: Serum mid- cholesterol levels (08 weeks) in HC were significantly raised to 164±7.90 mg/dl (p<0.001) as compared to 57.75±6.64mg/dl), which confirmed the development of hypercholesterolemia. Post-cholesterol levels of EE (after 12 weeks) was decreased to 52.8±4.42 mg/dl compared with 153.2±5.92 mg/dl in HC group in (p<0.001). Group 3 had significantly lower levels of of serum triglycerides, LDL and high levels of HDL cholesterol (p<0.001) as compared to HC group 2 and 12 weeks versus 8 weeks of EE of walnut supplementation. The atherogenic index calculated by serum TC/HDL and LDL/HDL ratios were significantly reduced (p<0.001). Conclusion: Ethanolic extracts of walnut leaves have hypolipidemic effects decreasing serum cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, serum TC/HDL and LDL/HDL ratios while elevating the good cholesterol HDL. Keywords: Atherogenic ratio, Cholesterol, Dietary Lipids, Lipoprotein metabolism, Walnut supplementation