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

Effect of artemisia aucheri on regression of atherosclerotic plaque in rabbits

Atherosclerosis which is the most common risk factor for CHD is caused by a gradual deposition of lipids in large and small arteries. Nowadays regression and suppression of atherosclerotic lesion is one of the candidate approach for prevention of atherosclerotic complication. Whereas large majority of people use herbal medicine for treatment, this study was designed to evaluate the effects of A. aucheri on regression of atherosclerosis in atherosclerotic rabbits. Twenty rabbits were randomly divided into four groups of five each and treated 3-months as follows: 1: normal diet for 3- month, 2, 3 and 4: Hypercholesterolemic diet [HCD] for 2- month. One group [2] killed after this period and two groups [3 and 4] received normal dietand normal diet + A. aucheri [100 mg. kg-1 .day-1] respectively for an additional 1 - month [regression period]. Biochemical factors [total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL- cholesterol and triglycerides] were measured at first, end of second and third month. At the end of the study, animals killed and aortas were removed for assessment of atherosclerotic plaques. Normal diet in regression period improved lipid profile but the animals in this group showed no regression but rather progression of atherosclerosis. Whereas extract of A. aucheri significantly decreased atherosclerotic area in the aorta. These findings suggest that control diet without additional treatment cannot stop the progression of atherosclerosis. To use A. aucheri with control diet can stop progression of atherosclerosis and is effective for regression of atherosclerotic lesion

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