Anti-hyperlipidemic effects of citrus fruit peel extracts against high fat diet-induced hyperlipidemia in rats

Abstract

The anti-hyperlipidemic effects of ethanolic extracts of orange, pomello, lime, citron and sour orange fruit peels (250 and 500 mg kg^-1, i.p) were tested in high fat diet-fed rats. The ethanolic extracts of lime and sour orange peels (250 and 500 mg kg^-1, i.p) showed potent anti-hyperlipidemic effects, as evident by the decreases in total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), LDL-C, and VLDL-C, in addition to the increases in HDL-C levels. Besides, lime and sour orange peels (250 and 500 mg kg^-1) extract significantly decreased LDL-C/HDL-C ratio, while lime, sour orange and pomello peel extracts markedly decreased atherogenic index. Remarkably, lime peel extract followed by sour orange and orange at 500 mg kg^-1 dose improved hepatic architecture to near normal with less deposition of fat globules and fewer sinusoids. Altogether, lime and sour orange peel extracts were found to be effective against hyperlipidemic parameters such as TC, TG, LDL-C, VLDL-C, and TC/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C ratios, and athrogenic index, in addition to the increased levels of HDL-C. Thus, lime and sour orange peel extracts could be natural supplement in the management of hyperlipidemia and associated diseases.