Protective Effects of Mussaenda pubescens Leaf Extracts Against Oxidative Stress and Dyslipidemia

Mussaenda pubescens (Rubiaceae) is a medicinal plant, traditionally utilized for gastrointestinal, febrile, and reproductive ailments. This study was aimed at analyzing the antioxidant capacity and antihyperlipidemic efficacy of the methanolic extract of M. pubescens in a high-cholesterol diet-induced hyperlipidemic mouse model.

Twenty-five Swiss albino mice were randomly subdivided into five groups of five mice each: normal control, disease control, atorvastatin (20 mg/kg), 200 mg/kg of the extract, and 400 mg/kg of the extract. Hyperlipidemia was achieved by feeding a high-fat diet for 28 days before the oral treatment was given for 12 consecutive days. The serum lipid profile and DPPH radical scavenging activity were then analyzed.

The extract improved the lipid abnormalities when compared with untreated hyperlipidemic mice (p < 0.05). At 200 mg/kg, LDL-C decreased to 11.25 ± 1.05 mg/dL, whereas the 400 mg/kg dose reduced TG and VLDL-C to 140.50 ± 6.50 and 28.10 ± 1.30 mg/dL, respectively. Atorvastatin demonstrated greater lipid normalization. The antioxidant activity was also shown by the extract with a DPPH assay, with an IC₅₀ value of 235.64 μg/mL.

The methanolic extract of M. pubescens exhibits potent antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant activities, validating its potential as a promising phytotherapeutic candidate for the management of hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress-associated metabolic disorders. Further in-depth phytochemical profiling and mechanistic studies are required for better evaluation of this extract.