ANTI-HYPERLIPIDEMIA ACTIVITY OF KEY LIME (Citrus aurantifolia) AND KAFFIR LIME (Citrus hystrix) PEEL EXTRACTSON HIGH FAT DIET INDUCED HYPERLIPIDEMIC RATS

Abstract

— Citrus aurantifolia and Citrus hystrix are important medicinal plants that contain many
compounds that provide health benefits. The methanolic extracts of key lime (Citrus aurantifolia) and kaffir
lime (Citrus hystrix) peels were evaluated for anti-hyperlipidemic activity in high fat-diet (HFD) induced
hyperlipidemic rat. Citrus aurantifolia and Citrus hystrix peels were extracted using methanol and analysed
for phytochemical content. The Rats were divided into five groups (n=6), the extracts of Citrus aurantifolia
and Citrus hystrix peels were given at the dose of 500 mg/kg. Blood samples were collected for the lipid
profile test.The phytochemical screening has revealed the presence of saponin, flavonoid, and phenol in both
citrus peel extracts. After 14 days of treatment, total cholesterol level for groups treated with both Citrus
aurantifolia and Citrus hystrix peel extract have significantly (p<0.05) reduced from 158.59±18.60 mg/dL to
68.62±14.60 mg/dL and 133.33±4.60 mg/dL to 76.15±2.98 mg/dL respectively. The serum triglyceride level
for the group treated with Citrus aurantifoliaextract was significantly (p<0.05) reduced from 129.51±40.03
mg/dL to 54.08±10.67 mg/dL and group treated with Citrus hystrixpeel extract has decreased from
159.87±48.79 mg/dL to 51.07±6.78 mg/dL. The high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level of both groups
treated with Citrus aurantifolia and Citrus hystrix peel extract was significantly (p<0.05) increased from
39.22±0.56 mg/dL to 71.54±4.43 mg/dL and 38.3±1.24 mg/dL to 74.65±2.67 mg/dL respectively. The lowdensity
lipoprotein cholesterol level for groups treated with both extracts were significantly (p<0.05)
reduced. The results havedemonstrated that methanolic extracts of Citrus aurantifolia and Citrus hystrix peel
extracts possessed anti-hyperlipidemic activity and hence they could be a potential herbal medicine as an
adjuvant with existing therapy for the treatment of hyperlipidemia