349 International Journal of Botany Studies ISSN: 2455-541X; Impact Factor: RJIF 5.12 Received: 17-12-2020; Accepted: 16-01-2021: Published: 30-01-2021 www.botanyjournals.com Volume 6; Issue 1; 2021; Page No. 349-354 Antiarthrosclerotic study of rhizome of acorus calamus on wistar rats Prashant Ashok Pawar 1 , Tushar A Deshmukh 2 , Puja Sanjay Pandhe 3 , Shivraj Vilas Mane 4 , Pravin S Uttekar 5 1 Assistant Professor, Pharmacology Department, RJSPM’S College of Pharmacy, Dudulgaon, Pune, Maharashtra, India 2 Shellino Education Society, Arunamai College of Pharmacy, Mamurabad, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India 3 QA officer, Nulife Pharmaceuticals, Bhosari MIDC, Pimpri Chinchwad, Maharashtra, India 4 Assistant Professor, Pharmaceutics Department, RJSPM’S College of Pharmacy, Dudulgaon, Pune, Maharashtra, India 5 Associate professor, Pharmaceutics Department, KJEI, Trinity College of Pharmacy, Pune, Maharashtra, India Abstract Atherosclerosis is a disease of blood vessels which leads to hardening of the arteries due to accumulation of fatty substance, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances, etc. in the inner lining of an artery. In the present study, the extract of the rhizome of plant Acorus calamus L. was investigated for its antiatherosclerotic activity. Hyperlipidemia was induced by Cholesterol (I.P), Cholic acid (I.P), Coconut oil to animals. Rats were fed Acorus calamus extract in distilled water along with standard laboratory diet and atherodiet for 30 days. Acorus calamus extract was found to lower the TC, TG, LDL, VLDL level, and atherogenic index ratio (AIr) and increase HDL level along with the decrease in SGOT, SGPT, and ALP level. Histopathology study of aorta showed a reduction in atherogenic markers and showed absence of sinusoids on the liver. Thus, this study demonstrates that Acorus calamus extract possesses antiatherosclerotic effects. Keywords: atherosclerosis, acorus, rhizome, wistar rats Introduction Atherosclerosis is a disease of blood vessels and known colloquially as "hardening of the arteries". It is characterized by the accumulation of a fatty substance, cholesterol, cellular waste products, calcium, and other substances in the inner lining of an artery. Major complications of atherosclerosis include angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, and stroke, which are recognized as leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Western countries [1] . Atherosclerosis is the main cause of a group of diseases called cardiovascular disease, which includes coronary heart disease. Despite the discovery of several newer agents, the search for better anti-atherosclerosis drugs continues because of their existing side effects and none of these is suitable for prolonged use. Therefore various alternatives like drugs from herbal and animal origin were discovered with very few side effects. Sweet flag, Acorus calamus L., (Acoraceae) is a semi- aquatic herbaceous perennial plant growing in temperate to sub temperate regions. The plant has long, erect, narrow, aromatic leaves ascending from a branched, underground rhizome [3] . The leaves are long, slender, sword-shaped, and simple, arising alternately from the horizontal rhizomes. These are longitudinally fissured with nodes, somewhat vertically compressed and spongy internally. Flowers small, fragrant, pale green in a spadix, the fruit is a three-celled fleshy capsule [4] . In India, it grows in marshy and humid land in many places. It has a long indefinite branched cylindrical rhizome which is about ¾ inch in diameter, smooth, pinkish, or pale green. These are longitudinally fissured with nodes, somewhat vertically compressed and spongy internally. Herbal medicines play an especially important role in the prevention of atherosclerosis so the present study was aimed to evaluate the phytochemical screening and antiatherosclerotic activity of Acorus calamus L. Material and Methods Collection and authentication of plant material The rhizomes of Acorus calamus Linn. Were collected from the local market, Pune in August 2015 (BSI/WRC/Cert./2015). The plant was identified and authenticated by the Botanical Survey of India, Pune, and was deposited in the herbarium for future reference. The rhizomes were dried in shade and subjected to size reduction to a coarse powder by using the dry grinder. Phytochemical evaluation Phytochemical evaluation for qualitative analysis of the presence of various secondary metabolites was done as per reference [5] . Preparation of extract For the study, ethanolic fraction and saponin rich fraction were used. Preparation of ethanolic extract For the preparation of ethanolic extract 5gm drug was extracted with 100 ml ethanol and after that, it was filtered and the filtrate is dried up to evaporation [5] . Preparation of Saponin rich fraction For the isolation or separation of pure saponin rich fraction from the plant extract, the hydroalcoholic extracts were boiled with HCl 6 M for 6 h. The hydrolysates were extracted with CHCl 3 and evaporated to dryness [6] .