EFFECT OF AMIRKABIRIA ODORATISSIMA ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRESSION OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS IN HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIC RABBITS.

Abstract

Introduction: New studies have introduced atherosclerosis as an inflammatory disease. Using anti- inflammatory drugs can be useful in preventing atherosclerosis. Finding drugs from a natural source and without side effects can also be useful.

Amirkabiria odoratissima (umbelliferae) is an Iranian flora and is used traditionally as an anti-inflammatory drug, this study was designed to assess the effects of this plant on the development and progression of fatty streaks.

Methods: Twenty male rabbits were purchased from Iran Pasture institute and were kept under standard condition for two weeks, then randomly divided in to 4 groups based on their diet.

Groups 1 were fed on rabbit chow (normal cholesterol), Group 2 were fed on a high cholesterol diet, Group 3 were fed on normal cholesterol diet supplemented by this plant, Group 4 were fed on high cholesterol diet supplemented by this plant. After 12 weeks, the animals were sacrificed and the aorta, right and left branches of coronary artery were dissected and histological processing was carried out. Biochemical factors were measured at base line and after 12 weeks. The amounts of cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglyceride and fasting blood sugar (FBS) were determined by enzymatic methods, and quantitative CRP were determined by turbidometric methods, malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant capacity were determined by spectrophotometric methods.

Results: The results indicate that there is a significant difference between supplemented herbal medicine groups with others (p<0.05) in the mean grade of fatty streak of right and left coronary artery and also aorta. At the end of the 12 weeks period cholesterol, LDL and CRP were meaningfully reduced in the groups 3 and 4 which received herbal medicine (p<0.05).

Conclusion: This study suggests that Amirkabiria odoratissima Mozaffarian has good effects on preventing development of fatty streak; however, further studies are needed to understand the exact mechanisms with which this plant exerts its anti-atherosclerotic effects.