Planta Med 2008; 74 - PF20
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1084748

Evaluation of Ayurvedic plants for anti-atherosclerotic and anti-hyperlipidemic effects

DA Uchil 1, SK Kamat 1, P Vaideeswar 2, AD Soman 1, SA Dhuri 1, AM Scindia 1, NN Rege 1
  • 1Ayurveda Research Centre, Dept. of Pharmacology and Therapeutics
  • 2Department of Pathology, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai-400012, India

AIM: To study effects of Ayurvedic plants, Plumbago zeylanicus (Pz), Phyllanthus emblica (Pe), Cyperus rotundus (Cr) and Embelia ribes (Er) on prevention of atherosclerosis and hyperlipidemia.

Methodology: The study was carried out in two parts after Animal Ethics Committee approval. In both the parts, animals were assigned to groups viz. Normal control, Disease control, Atorvastatin (AT), Pe, Pz, Cr and Er. Standardized aqueous extracts of test drugs in doses equivalent to human therapeutic dose were administered orally. In Part 1, male adult New-Zealand strain rabbits were administered high cholesterol diet pellets along with test drugs/vehicle for 45 days. On 46th day, lipid profile and histopathology of aorta were studied. In Part 2, male wistar rats (150–200 gm) received test drug/vehicle with cholesterol supplementation (CS: 400mg/kg with choline in coconut oil p.o.) for 35 days. Lipid profile and liver HMG-CoA reductase activity and aortic MDA were estimated on 36th day. Data was analysed using ANOVA followed by post hoc tests.

Results: In part 1, only AT and Pe prevented hyperlipidemia induced by HCD. However, all the test drugs exhibited anti-atherosclerotic potential as seen from significant reduction in mean plaque area and percent luminal encroachment by the plaques. The best results were observed with AT and Pz, followed by Cr. In Part 2, AT prevented hyperlipidemia and increased HDL-C (p<0.01). Of the test drugs, Pz reduced triglycerides and VLDL-C (p<0.05) and increased HDL-C (p<0.05). Pe reduced LDL-C (p<0.01) and showed trend to reduce total cholesterol. AT, Pz and Pe also decreased HMG-CoA reductase activity and prevented rise in vascular MDA in response to CS.

Conclusion: Pz showed the best anti-atherosclerotic effect comparable to AT. Anti-hyperlipidemic effects of Pz and Pe appear to be responsible for the anti-atherosclerotic activity. The mechanisms responsible for anti-atherosclerotic potential of Cr and Er need to be explored.

Acknowledgement: 1. Dept. of AYUSH Govt. of India 2. Zandu Pharmaceuticals Works Ltd.