Potential Lipid-lowering Effects of Ruta chalepensis Aqueous, Acetone, and Hexane Extracts in Triton WR-1339-induced Hyperlipidemia in Rats.

Medicinal plants are essential in the prevention and management of cardiovascular illnesses. This study seeks to explore the phytochemical profile and lipid-lowering potential of Ruta chalepensis acetone, hexane, and aqueous extracts. Phytochemical profiling using high-performance liquid chromatography revealed solvent-specific variations. The aqueous extract was dominated by monoterpenes, with skimmianine (11.2%) as the major alkaloid. The acetone extracts primarily contained monoterpenes and flavonoids, with quercetin (8.2%) as a key component. The hexane extract was rich in fatty acids, with oleanolic acid (11.2%) as the predominant compound. Hyperlipidemia was induced using Triton WR-1339 (300 mg/kg) in five groups, each consisting of five rats, resulting in significant elevations in total cholesterol (p = 0.0008), triglycerides (p = 0.0007), and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C, p = 0.0003), with a reduction in high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C, p = 0.0215) compared to controls (analyzed by one-way analysis of variance followed by Dunnett's multiple comparisons test). Treatment with R. chalepensis extracts led to notable lipid-lowering effects. The acetone extract of R. chalepensis at 60 mg/kg significantly reduced total cholesterol (81.3%) (p < 0.0001), triglycerides (94.5%) (p < 0.0001), and LDL-C (85.8%) (p < 0.0001), while increasing HDL-C by 1,160% (p = 0.0003). The hexane extract showed similar effects, with reductions in TC (79.9%) (p < 0.0001), TGs (94.1%) (p < 0.0001), and LDL-C (76.5%) (p < 0.0001) and a rise in HDL-C (875.1%) (p = 0.0042). The aqueous extract also lowered TC (56.6%) (p = 0.0001), TGs (77.4%) (p < 0.0001), and LDL-C (73.2%) (p < 0.0001) while boosting HDL-C (785.1%) (p = 0.0096). These results demonstrate that R. chalepensis extracts show lipid-modulating properties. However, further studies and isolation of active compounds are needed to validate and clarify the findings.