Comparative Antihyperlipidemic Activity of Methanolic Extract of Terminalia arjuna Bark and its Phytosome

Phytosomes are lipid soluble advanced herbal complexes known to increase the bioavailability of water soluble constituents. Terminali aarjuna is a plant rich in polyphenols. Methanolic extract of bark of Terminalia arjuna is well known for its lipid lowering effects. Phytosomes of methanolic extract ofTerminalia arjuna were prepared.The antihyperlipidemic effect of orally administered methanolic extract of Terminalia arjuna bark and its phytosomeswas investigated on cholesterol fed albino wistar rats. At the end of the experimental period, the animals were killed and their plasma and tissue lipid components were estimated. Histological studies show that both methanolic extract of Terminalia arjuna bark and phytosomes of methanolic extract of Terminalia arjuna bark show negligible fatty infiltration and granular degeneration. The studies shows that complex was effective in decreasing the total cholesterol as well as triglycerides and raising high density cholesterol but the activity was low as compared to pure extract probably because of the presence of phospholipids.Thus phytosomal complexes of methanolic extract of Terminaliaarjuna should be prescribed to the patients accordingly.