Bisflavonoids fraction from Araucaria bidwilli Hook., reverses hyperlipidemia induced atherosclerosis in high-fat diet induced hyperlipidemia

Abstract Background Hyperlipidemia is a major cause for atherosclerosis which is a frontline cause for mortality in the world. Bisflavonoids are dimeric flavonoids abundant in few medicinal herbs with various pharmacological effects. However, in vivo anti-hyperlipidemic role of bisflavonoids (BFR) is limited. The present investigation is aimed to study BFR from the leaf extract of Araucaria bidwillii Hook. in rat model of hyperlipidemia. Results Administration of HFD was significantly (p < 0.0001) shown to increase total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglycerides (TG) associated with decrease in HDL. BFR at two doses significantly decreased TC, LDL, and TG in HFD-fed rats. In addition, BFR significantly (p < 0.0001) decreased the MDA and significantly (p < 0.0001) increased the impaired anti-oxidant enzyme SOD and CAT in heart tissue induced by HFD. Further, 28 days administration of BFR significantly (p < 0.001) decreased HFD-induced aortic wall thickness. Conclusion It can be concluded that bisflavonoids from A. bidwillii Hook. leaf extract administered to high fat-fed rats showed beneficial anti-hyperlipidemic effect by reducing lipid profiles and protecting the heart tissue from oxidative stress.