The 50% hydroalcoholic extract of Hibiscus cannabinus leaves was examined for its antihyperlipidemic effect in in-vivo high fat diet fed model. The activity was assessed by estimation of serum lipid profile viz. total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL-C), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), stress (TBARS) and liver histopathological studies of control and drug-treated animals. The extract exhibited a strong dose dependent antihyperlipidemic activity and at dose level 400mg/kg p.o. the extract showed a significant decrease in the levels of serum TC, TG, LDL-C, VLDL-C and TBARS. In addition, the extract markedly prevented the liver microvesicular steatosis in hyperlipidemic rats. The present study demonstrated that the extract exhibits a potent lipid lowering activity in diet induced hyperlipidemia which account for some of the medical claims attributed to this plant
