Hypocholesterolemic and antiatherosclerotic effect of Artemisia aucheri in hypercholesterolemic rabbits

Atherosclerosis which results from gradual deposition of lipids in arteries is a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Diet is one of the most important factors underlying atherosclerosis. High-cholesterol diets enhance atherosclerosis and vegetarian diets are known to slow down the process. Artemisia aucheri is a herb of the Composite family. Many species of Artemisia have proven hypolipidemic and antioxidant properties. This study determine the effects of Artemisia aucheri on lipoproteins and atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Fifteen male rabbits were randomly divided into three groups. Normal diet group, high-cholesterol diet group [1% cholesterol] and Artemisia aucheri group [1% cholesterol diet supplemented with 100 mg/kg body weight the Artemisi aucheri every other day]. Biochemical factors were measured at the start, end of the first and second months of the study. At the end of the study, the aorta were removed for assessment of atherosclerotic plaques. The results indicate that Artemisia aucheri significantly reduced the level of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerids and increased HDL cholesterol. The degree of atherosclerotic thickness was significantly reduced in the treated group. Therefore, Artemisia aucheri is one of the useful herbal medicine for preventation of atherosclerosis and more studies in this regard is recommended

[Effects of hydroalcoholic extract of carthamus tinctorius on activity of hepatic transaminases in alloxan-induced diabetic rats]

Safflower [Carthamus tinctorius L.] flowers, mostly used for coloring and flavoring food, are attributed with anti-rheumatic and anti-diabetic effects in traditional medicine. The purpose of this research was to experimentally assess the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Carthamus tinctorius on the level of AST and ALT in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. In the present study, 18 male Wistar rats, of body wt. 180-220 g were randomly allocated into three groups with six rats per group: first group, non-diabetic rats; second group, diabetic rats; third group, diabetic rats treated with hydroalcoholic extract of Carthamus tinctorius [200 mgkg [-1] BW, i.p.]. Rats were fasted for 16h and then fasting blood samples were collected in heparinated tubes. Sampling was performed from the orbital sinus. ANOVA was used for data analysis. Our results indicated a significant difference in AST and ALT levels in the diabetic group compared with the other groups [P<0.05]. Histomorphological studies of the liver of these animals, demonstrated the same results. Hydroalcoholic extract of Carthamus tinctorius can inhibit liver failure-induced by diabetes and is suggested as an antidiabetic drug. Further biochemical and pharmacological investigations should be performed to elucidate its mechanism of action in detail

[ effect of hydroalcoholic extracts of Hypericum perforatum and Amaranthus caudatus on rabbits with hypercholesterolemia]

Atherosclerosis is one of the most common causes of death throughout the world. In this study, anti-atherosclerotic effect of combination extracts of Hypericum and Amaranth on hypercholesterolemic rabbits was compared with that of lovastatin. Twenty adult male Newzeland rabbits were randomly divided into four groups of five and were fed for 60 days as follows: basic diet, high cholesterol, high cholesterol along with combination Hypericum and Amaranth [HA] extract [75 mg/kg] and high cholesterol along with lovastatin [10 mg/kg]. Blood samples were taken at the beginning, one month later and at the end of the study in order to measure their serum factors. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Danken tests. The extract and lovastatin decreased the levels malondialdehyde [MDA] and apolipoprotein B [apoB], apoB/apoA and increased the levels apolipoprotein A [apoA] in rabbits compared to high cholesterol group [P<0.05]. The extract by decreasing cardiovascular risk factors especially apoB that is one of the most important risk factors of cardiovascular diseases, prevent progression of atherosclerosis. The extract is more effective in decreasing the level of cardiovascular risk factors than Lovastatin in hypercholesterolemic rabbits

Effect of Artemisia aucheri extract on atherogenic lipids and atherogenesis in hypercholesterolemic rabbits

Atherosclerosis that is caused a gradual deposition of lipids in muscular arteries remain a major cause of mortality worldwide. Dietary is one of the most important environmental factors associated with the incidence of these diseases. Diets high in cholesterol have been shown to promote atherosclerosis. Inversly diets high in vegetables have been shown to reduce development this disease. In many species of Artemisia evaluated antioxidative properties. The objective of this study was evaluating the effect of Artemisia aucheri extract on blood lipids and development of atherosclerosis in rabbits fed by a high cholesterol diet. Fifteen male rabbits were randomly divided in three experimental groups [normal diet group, hypercholesterolemic diet [HCD] group and the group that fed by HCD + supplemented with 100 mg/kg body weight Artemisia aucheri extract every other day]. Total cholesterol [TC], LDL cholesterol, triglycerides [TG] and HDL cholesterol were measured before and after 1 and 2 months of experimental period. At the end of the experimental period the aorta was removed for assessment of atherosclerotic plaques. Artemisia aucheri significantly reduced the levels of TC, LDL, TG and significantly increased the level of HDL. Degree of atherosclerotic plaque significantly reduced in this group. Results of this study indicate that Artemisia aucheri extract inhibits the development of atherosclerosis. This may be related to the effect of Artemisia aucheri on plasma lipoproteins in addition to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties