Abstract

HYPOLIPIDEMIC AND ANTIATHEROSCLEROTIC ACTIVITY OF SOME MEDICINAL PLANTS: A REVIEW

R. Dhanalakshmi*, K. Balamurugan, R. Manavalan

ABSTRACT

Atherosclerosis is the most frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in the entire world. It is now established that hyperlipidaemia represents a major risk factor for the premature development of atherosclerosis and its cardiovascular complications. The most common clinical manifestations are stroke and acute myocardial infarction, and in both of these events atherosclerosis is the underlying cause. Recently herbal hypolipidemics have gained importance to fill the lacunae created by the allopathic drugs. The hypolipidemic effect of some plants and herbs has been well studied and they were shown to be helpful in lowering plasma cholesterol levels and encouraging safety profile. In this paper an attempt has been made to give an overview of certain medicinal plants and herbs which have been studied for their hypolipidemic and Antiatherosclerotic activity.

Keywords: Hypolipidemic; Anti-atherosclerosis; Risk factors; Pathogenesis; Medicinal plants.