Purpose: To evaluate the antioxidant and antihyperlipidemic activities of the methanol extract of aerial
part of
Crassocephalum crepidioides
(Asteraceae) Benth. S. Moore.
Methods: The methanol extract of
Crassocephalum crepidioides was prepared by organic solvent
extraction (Maceration) and assessed for
in vitro antioxidant activity using various methods, namely,
2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, total phenol and flavonoid content and
reducing capacity. The extract was also evaluated for antihyperlipidemic activity in high-fat diet and
triton WR-100 (iso-octyl polyoxyethylene phenol)-induced hyperlipidemic albino rats by evaluating
serum total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), triglycerides (TG), very low
density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-c), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) level and
atherogenic index (AI).
Results: The plant extract showed significant antioxidant activity in a dose-dependent manner. In highfat
diet hyperlipedemic rats, the extract significantly reduced (p < 0.01 or 0.001) serum TC, TG, LDL-c
and VLDL-c levels, but significantly increased (p < 0.05) serum HDL-c level. In triton-induced
hyperlipidemic rats, the extract significantly reduced (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, p < 0.001) serum TC, TG, LDLc,
VLDL-c levels but significantly increased (p < 0.05) serum HDL-c level. The extract showed significant
reduction (p < 0.01) in AI at 300 mg /kg/day dose in both high fat-induced (1.70 ± 0.25) and tritoninduced
(1.5 ± 0.17) hyperlipidemic albino rats.
Conclusion: Based on these findings, the extract of
Crassocephalum crepidioides aids in lowering
hyperlipidemia in rats. This is probably due to its antioxidant activity.
