BACKGROUND: This study was aimed to screen the antihyperlipidemic effect of different fractions of to obtain the most efficient herbal fraction for isolation of bioactive constituents responsible for hypolipidemic activity. METHODS: Chloroform, butanol, and aqueous fractions were obtained from hydroalcoholic extract of aerial parts using partitioning process. To induce hyperlipidemia, dexamethasone (Dex) was injected 10 mg/kg/day (s.c.) for 8 days. In the test groups, animals received 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg of hydroalcoholic extract and different fractions orally simultaneously with Dex. Serum lipid profile and hepatic marker enzymes were evaluated using biochemical kits. RESULTS: All treatments, especially chloroform and aqueous fractions, reversed serum lipid markers in hyperlipidemic rats. Maximum reduction in triglyceride (60.2%, < 0.001) and maximum elevation in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (35.0%, < 0.01) was observed for chloroform fraction. Maximum cholesterol-lowering effect (29.0%, < 0.001) and maximum reduction in low-density lipoprotein were found for hydroalcoholic extract (72.9%, < 0.001). Aqueous fraction improved all lipid markers at the highest dose. Butanol fraction decreased triglyceride at the lowest dose (43.9%, < 0.001) and increased HDL (33%, < 0.05) at the highest dose. There was a significant increase in alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels in all tested groups compared to normal group ( < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed strong antihyperlipidemic effect of various fractions derived from hydroalcoholic extract of . Chloroform and aqueous fractions may be worthy candidates for isolation of bioactive hypolipidemic constituents. However, possible hepatotoxicity should be considered for clinical application.