ABSTRACT
Hyperlipidaemia is the greatest risk factor of coronary heart disease. Currently available hypolipidaemic drugs have been associated with number of side effects. Herbal treatment for hyperlipidaemia has no side effects and is relatively cheap and locally available. Literature claims that Saponins are able to reduce hyperlipidemia. Based on high saponin content in herbal plants, Spermacoce hispida (S. hispida) was selected and the present study focus on the antihyperlipidaemic activity of ethanolic seed extract of S. hispida against triton-WR-1339 induced hyperlipidaemia in rats. Hyperlipidaemia was induced in Wistar rats by intraperitoneal (i.p) injections of Triton WR-1339 at a dose of 400 mg/kg body weight. S. hispida was administered orally at a dose of 200 mg/kg to triton WR-1339 induced hyperlipidaemic rats. After administration of S. hispida shows a significant decrease in the levels of cholesterol, phospholipids, triglycerides, LDL, VLDL and significant increase in the level of HDL in serum and liver tissues against triton induced hyperlipidaemic in rats. Therefore it effectively suppressed the triton induced hyperlipidemia in rats, suggesting the potential protective role in Coronary heart disease.