Pharmacological Screening of Annona cherimola for Antihyperlipidemic Potential.

High blood cholesterol levels are consistently associated with higher risk of coronary heart disease, and other life-threatening cardiovascular and cerebro-vascular damage, including fatal strokes. In the present study methanolic extract of Annona cherimola was evaluated for its antihyperlipidemic potential. Acute hyperlipidemia was induced by single administration of Triton WR 1339 (Tyloxapol) intra-peritoneally. There was a significant dose dependent decrease in plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol at the same time considerable increase in HDL-cholesterol levels upon administration of methanolic extract at the dose of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg. Fenofibrate was used as reference standard. Atherogenic index as well as LDL/HDL cholesterol ratio was lowered significantly in case of methanolic extract treated groups compared to normal control which reflects the antihyperlipidemic potential of Annona cherimola.