Hypocholesterolemic Effect of Indian Medicinal Plants - A Review

Hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor for the development and progression of atherosclerosis and related cardiovascular disease (CVD). Epidemiological, clinical, genetic and experimental studies indicate that high serum level of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is associated with the cause [1]. Coronary heart disease (CHD) was first reported in European countries around 1980s, but now the prevalence has increased in the developing Asian countries due to changes in life style [2]. The Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study Group (4S), LIPID study and CARE study have clearly demonstrated that the reduction in cholesterol level reduces the risk of CHD in both normal and diabetic patients. Current projections suggest that by the year 2020, India will have the largest CVD burden in the world. One of the major initiating events in atherosclerosis is oxidative damage to the cholesterol component of the LDL, known as LDL oxidation, which forms atheromatous plague progressing to CVD. The World Health organization (WHO) estimates that 80% of the people of developing countries rely on traditional medicines, mostly plant-derived drugs, for their primary health needs. India is well known for its rich traditional systems of medicine, that is, Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani besides a vast reservoir of living traditions of ethnomedicine. Several modern drugs in use such as statins, fibrates, nicotinic acid and resins [3], lower blood cholesterol level, either by inhibiting endogenous synthesis and/or by lowering cholesterol absorption from the intestine [4]. Owing to their side effects, people are looking for safer alternatives, and the search for new drugs capable of reducing and regulating serum cholesterol level has gained interest resulting in numerous reports on significant activities of natural agents. In this review, the hypocholesterolemic property of Indian medicinal plants is enumerated.