Evaluation of the Antihyperlipidemic and Cardioprotective Effects of Hydroalcoholic Extract of a Polyherbal Combination in High-Fat Diet-Induced Hyperlipidemia and Isoproterenol-Induced Myocardial Infarction in Wistar Rats

Priya Sharma, Dr. Rohan Kulkarni

Department of Pharmacy Practice, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences

1. Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) continue to be the primary cause of death globally, with hyperlipidemia and myocardial infarction (MI) being significant pathological factors. Hyperlipidemia, marked by increased serum lipids, leads to atherosclerosis, endothelial dysfunction, and cardiac oxidative stress, increasing the risk of ischemic heart disease and myocardial infarction. Herbal medicines and polyherbal formulations are increasingly recognized as safer alternatives to synthetic hypolipidemic and cardioprotective drugs due to their diverse mechanisms and reduced side effects. This study seeks to assess the antihyperlipidemic and cardioprotective properties of a hydroalcoholic extract of a polyherbal combination (HAE-PHC) in models of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hyperlipidemia and isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction in Wistar rats. The polyherbal formulation includes medicinal plants traditionally used for their lipid-lowering, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cardiotonic properties. Hyperlipidemia was induced in rats by administering a high-fat diet for 28 days, followed by myocardial infarction induction through isoproterenol administration (85 mg/kg, s.c., for two consecutive days). The experimental animals were categorized into several groups, including normal control, disease control, standard drug-treated, and HAE-PHC-treated groups at varying dose levels. Biochemical assessments involved serum lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, HDL, VLDL), cardiac biomarkers (CK-MB, LDH, AST, ALT), antioxidant parameters (SOD, CAT, MDA), and histopathological analysis of heart tissue. The findings revealed that HAE-PHC significantly lowered elevated lipid levels, enhanced HDL concentrations, reduced cardiac marker enzymes, restored antioxidant defense systems, and mitigated myocardial necrosis and inflammatory infiltration. These results indicate that the hydroalcoholic extract of the polyherbal combination has strong antihyperlipidemic and cardioprotective effects, likely through antioxidant, lipid-lowering, membrane-stabilizing, and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. The study concludes that HAE-PHC could be a promising phytotherapeutic option for managing hyperlipidemia-related cardiac issues and myocardial infarction. Further molecular and clinical research is needed to clarify its therapeutic potential and mechanism of action.

2. Keywords

Polyherbal blend; Hydroalcoholic extraction; Elevated lipid levels; Heart protection; Heart attack; Isoproterenol; Diet rich in fats; Antioxidant properties; Wistar rat models; Plant-based therapy