ABSTRACT
A compound herbal formulation [POL[4]] is used traditionally in interior parts [Distt. Badin] of Sindh, Pakistan, for the treatment of metabolic disorders like diabetes and hyperlipidemia. This study is aimed to determine the effectiveness of POL[4] and its ingredients in hyperlipidemia and associated endothelial dysfunction and hypertension. POL[4] is composed of equal proportion of Nigella sativa, Cichorium intybus, Trigonella foenum graecum and Gymnema sylvestre mixed in powdered form. Chronic [6 to 7 weeks] administration of POL[4] and its ingredients mixed in diet caused a notable attenuation in total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, atherogenic index, Creactive protein and glucose, while it has increased high density lipoprotein levels. POL[4] intervention markedly [p<0.01] reduced systolic blood pressure in rats to 127+/-1.92 vs. 145.4+/-1.07 mm of Hg using tail-cuff method and significantly [p<0.05] improved endothelium-dependent relaxation [75+/-2.88 vs. 82.75+/-1.22%] to acetylcholine in isolated aortae of rats in treatment groups using force transducer and PowerLab system. Similar activities were assessed on the part of ingredients of POL[4]. These findings indicate that POL[4] and its ingredients possess antihyperlipidemic, endotheliumdependent modulatory and antihypertensive activities, thus providing an evidence to the vernacular use of POL[4] in hyperlipidemia and hypertension