Mufzala Shamim et al Biosight 2022; 03(01): 16-20 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Effect of Ocimum Sanctum (Tulsi) Leaf on High-Fat-Diet Induced Hyperlipidemic Rat Zohra Khan, Mufzala Shamim * , Nazish Iqbal Khan Pathophysiology Research Unit, Department of Physiology, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan Received: November 19, 2021 Accepted: June 14, 2022 doi: 10.46568/bios.v3i1.39 Keywords: cardioprotective, high fat diet, hyperlipidemia , Ocimum sanctum. *Correspondence: Mufzala Shamim, Pathophysiology Research Unit Department of Physiology, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan, Tel: +92345-6202048, Email: mufzalashamim@yahoo.com Introduction Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a complex, multifactorial disease and one of the leading causes of death among adults [1]. Atherosclerosis is the principle pathophysiological mechanism of coronary artery disease influenced by genetic and environmental risk factors particularly diet, smoking, and sedentary life-style [2]. High-fat-diet associated dyslipidemia is a social predicament and the causative factor of atherosclerotic plaque. Dyslipidemia is characterized by elevated plasma levels of cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) [1,3]. Atheroma (atherosclerotic plaque) develops on tunica intima characterized by subendothelial lipid accumulation, immunocyte infiltration, proliferation of smooth muscle cells, and formation of foam cells and fatty streak [4]. Dietary modifications are usually the first choice of management for controlling hyperlipidemia or primary cases of CHD. In pharmacological intervention, different drugs such statins, fibrates, resins and niacin are used to treat primary and particularly secondary cases of CHD however, these pharmacotherapies are also associated with side-effects which limits its effectiveness. Thereof, herbal medicine together with life-style and dietary modifications are also well- recognized for their effective management of cardiovascular risks and potential opportunity for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases [5]. Most of the herbal therapies’ relies on antioxidant and hypolipidemic potentials of herbs and herbal material. Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi) leaves are popular culinary herb and traditionally used in Ayurvedic Indian medicine to cure variety of diseases owed to its antioxidant, anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory potentials [6,7]. The present Abstract: Dyslipidemia mediated atherosclerosis is the key pathogenesis of several cardiovascular diseases. Present study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of Ocimum sanctum (OS) leaf consumption against high-fat-diet (HFD) induced hyperlipidemia in rat model. A total of 18 Wistar albino rats (200-215g) were randomly divided as control, HFD (hyperlipidemic) and OS-treated groups. HFD-group were administered with high fat diet for 15 days while, OS-treated group with Ocimum sanctum leaf powder (200 mg / kg of bodyweight / day) together with HFD diet for 15 days. Blood samples were analyzed for changes in plasma total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein and very-low-density lipoprotein. Plasma atherogenic index was also calculated. HFD administration significantly increased plasma lipid levels and atherogenic index in HFD-group. The supplementation of OS significantly reduced plasma total cholesterol, triglyceride, lipoproteins and atherogenic index in OS-treated rats. In conclusion, 15 days OS leaf (powder) supplementation dose of 200 mg / kg of bodyweight / day effectively attenuated dyslipidemia in hyperlipidemic rats.