Evaluation of Antihyperlipidaemic Activity of Methanolic Extract of Cuminum cyminum L. Seeds in Diet Induced Hyperlipidaemic Rabbits

Objective: To evaluate antihyperlipidaemic activity  of  methanolic  extract  of  seeds  of  Cuminum cyminum L. in hyperlipidaemia in rabbits. Methods:  This study was conducted in Pharmacology Department of University of Karachi; the duration of study was 30 days.  Healthy  rabbits  were  taken  and  hyperlipidaemia  was  induced  by  giving  high cholesterol diet for four weeks. All animals were divided into three groups, with each group having ten rabbits (n=10).The methanolic extract of seeds of Cuminum cminum L.  was  dissolved  in  an organic solvent DMSO (Dimethyl-sulphoxide). One group was control-receiving DMSO,  while  second  group received methanolic extract of Cuminum cyminum L.  (MECC)  500mg/kg  and  third  group  re-  ceived Atorvastatin 2mg/kg.Blood samples were taken at 0, 15th and 30th day of dosing and sent for the tests to Punjwani Centre for Molecular medicine & Drug research (PCMD) Diagnostic Laboratory. Results:  The group that was given methanolic extract of  Cuminum Cyminum L.  showed  decrease  in  High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) - cholesterol ratio (7.62 ± 4.01 to 4.45 ±  3.23)  (p<0.05),  cholesterol (208.54 ± 5.71 to 130.26 ± 5.72) (p<0.01), triglyceride (158.75 ± 5.23 to 136.14 ± 8.72) (p<0.001) and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) (168.17 ± 5.43  to  135.42±11.39)  (p<0.001)  and  the  group  that  was  given Atorvastatin showed HDL-cholesterolratio(7.33 ±  3.27  to  3.12  ±  2.19)  (p<0.01),  cholesterol (208.11  ± 6.72  to  98.75  ± 3.77)  (p<0.001),  triglyceride  (157.21  ± 6.72  to  141.25  ± 6.84)  (p<0.01) and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) (167.25 ± 4.32 to 127.67 ± 10.96) (p<0.001) towards its normal levels from day 0 to 30th day of dosing on comparison to control, whereas triglycerides were significantly de- creased by extract than atorvastatin. Conclusion: The result of this study showed methanolic extract of Cuminum cyminum L. possesses antihyperlipidaemic activity.