Effects of berberine on atherosclerosis and plasma levels of lipid in atherosclerotic rabbits / 中国脑血管病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective: To examine the effects of berberine on atherosclerosis and plasma levels of lipid in rabbits. Methods: 18 male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups: control group, untreated cholesterol-fed group, and berberine treated group, which were fed for 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, plasma levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were measured enzymatically by automatic facilities and the aorta was harvested for pathologic morphology observation. Results: The aorta plaque/intima size (P/I) was 0%, (59.6 ± 13.7) % and (36.3 ± 16.5) % in control, untreated cholesterol-fed group and berberine treated group respectively by pathologic morphology observation (P 0.05). Conclusion: Berberine can decreased plasma levels of TC and HDL C and suppress the progression of atherosclerosis and stabilize the plaque in experimental atherosclerosis.