Hypolipidemic and Antioxidant Effects of Methanolic Cucumis sativus Fruit Extract in Poloxamer 407-Induced Hyperlipidemic Rats

Abstract

There is a long history of using medicinal plants to treat illnesses, and new studies keep highlighting the potential therapeutic advantages of these plants. Cucumis sativus, or cucumber, has shown promise among them because of its lipid-modulating and antioxidant qualities. This study uses a rat model of hyperlipidemia caused by Poloxamer 407 to examine the hypolipidemic and antioxidant properties of methanolic cucumber extract. The purpose of the study is to determine whether cucumber extract can help rats with hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress and to compare its effectiveness to simvastatin, a common hypolipidemic medication. Rats were given an intraperitoneal injection of Poloxamer 407 (500 mg/kg body weight) to cause hyperlipidemia. The rats were divided into five groups: normal control, hyperlipidemic control, hyperlipidemic rats treated with 250 mg/kg cucumber extract, hyperlipidemic rats treated with 500 mg/kg cucumber extract, and hyperlipidemic rats treated with 5 mg/kg Simvastatin. After a 4-week treatment period, serum lipid profiles (total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and VLDL-cholesterol) and oxidative stress markers (superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and catalase) were assessed. Poloxamer 407 administration resulted in significant dyslipidemia and oxidative stress, evidenced by elevated levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and VLDL cholesterol, and reduced HDL cholesterol, alongside decreased activities of antioxidant enzymes. Treatment with cucumber extract at doses of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg significantly improved lipid profiles and restored antioxidant enzyme activities. The higher dose (500 mg/kg) showed superior efficacy to the lower dose (250 mg/kg).