The aim of the present study was to evaluate the hypolipidemic efficacy of stigmasterol in High fat diet (HFD) fed rats. Male Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned to four groups: Groups I normal control; Group II HFD control; Group III HFD+stigmasterol (5 mg kg-1 day-1, p.o.) and Group IV HFD+sibutramine (5 mg kg-1 day-1, p.o.). The whole study lasted for 11 weeks. Administration of HFD caused a significant (p<0.05) rise in the serum total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose levels and total cholesterol:HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol:HDL-cholesterol ratios. Simultaneous administration of stigmasterol significantly (p<0.05) prevented the rise in serum total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose levels and total cholesterol:HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol:HDL-cholesterol ratios. There was a significant decrease in body weight and fat mass (interscapular as well as epididymal) was observed in stigmasterol treated rats. Thus, the results indicate hypolipidemic and antiobesity effect of stigmasterol.
