Anti-hyperlipidaemic effects of fresh and cured Bhallataka Kshaudra (Semecarpus anacardium L.) in animals

Bhallataka Phala (fruit of Semecarpus anacardium L.), is a well-known anti-hyperlipidaemic drug. Bhallataka is described in all Ayurvedic classics as Rasayana and advocated for various therapeutic purposes such as Kushtha (skin diseases), Arsha (piles), Krimi (worm infestations), Prameha (urine disorders), Medodosha (lipid disorders), etc. Though its anti-hyperlipidaemic activity has been studied; actual differentiation in their therapeutic efficacy due to storage period has yet not been attempted on experimental animals. This prompted to initiate a comparative anti-hyperlipidemic activity of fixed oil (expressed oil) i.e. non-volatile in nature collected from fresh Bhallataka and four months old (cured) Bhallataka samples against cholesterol diet induced hyperlipidaemia in rats. Hyperlipidemia was induced by oral administration of cholesterol (20 % suspension in coconut oil, 5 mL/kg) in morning hours and hydrogenated vegetable oil (5 mL/kg) in evening. The effect of drugs was assessed on body weight, serum biochemical and histological parameters. Both drugs produced significant attenuation of the relative weight of liver in cholesterol-fed animals. Cured sample of Bhallataka provided better effect in lowering serum cholesterol (21.98 %), triglyceride (60.23 %), VLDL (56.82 %); while fresh sample of Bhallataka also found to be effective in lowering serum cholesterol (20.69 %), serum triglyceride (45.59 %), VLDL (46.59 %) in comparison to control group. From the result of the present study, it is concluded that the cured sample of Bhallataka has pronounced anti-hyperlipidemic effect than the fresh sample in experimentally-induced hyperlipidemia in rats