Anti-atherosclerotic Activity of Para Methoxy Cinnamic Acid in High Fat Diet Induced Hyperlipidemia Model Rats

Hypercholesterolemia is a well-known etiological feature for cardiovascular diseases and a common indication of maximum categories of metabolic disorders. Para methoxy cinnamic acid is one of the cinnamic acid derivatives as a natural product obtained from the rice bran oil as an active constituent and has the antioxidant property. The present study was designed to evaluate the hypolipidemic activity of P-methoxy cinnamic acid against high fat diet induced hyperlipidemia in experimental rats. Male Wistar albino rats were divided into five groups (n = 6), and high fat diet was used to induce the hyperlipidemia for 28 days. P-methoxy cinnamic acid was used in two different doses (40 and 80 mg/kg body weight), and they were administered orally to the rats for 28 days during high fat diet. Atorvastatin (5 mg/kg) was used as reference standard. A significant elevated level of lipid abnormalities and tissue antioxidant parameters were reversed from normal level by the treatment of P-methoxy cinnamic acid in both the doses. Histopathological evidence further supported the protective action. Based on the initial findings, it was concluded that P-methoxy cinnamic acid was able to offer significant protection against high fat diet induced atherosclerosis. Future studies were recommended to identify the molecular mechanism of P-methoxy cinnamic acid against atherosclerosis protection.