Herbs and atherosclerosis.
It is now widely accepted that atherosclerosis is a complex multicellular process involving oxidation of cholesterol and the intracellular accumulation of oxidized cholesterol. This accumulation causes a cascade of inflammatory processes, resulting in an unstable atherosclerotic plaque that ultimately bursts, causing myocardial infarction. Botanical dietary supplements (herbs) can ameliorate this process and prevent cardiovascular disease at many steps in the process. Many herbs have antioxidant activity and can reduce low-density lipoprotein oxidation. Some phytosterols found in botanicals can inhibit cholesterol absorption. After a brief review of herbs being promoted for achieving and maintaining healthy cholesterol levels, the evidence and future prospects for Chinese red yeast rice, the main component of dietary supplements with HMG-CoA reductase inhibiting activity, are discussed in detail. Initial phase II clinical trials are highly encouraging. This herb is likely to be able to directly impact the process of atherosclerosis, but large-scale clinical trials are needed to assess the public health potential of this herbal supplement.
Heber
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Center for Human Nutrition, University of California, Los Angeles, 900 Veteran Avenue, Room 12-217, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1742, USA. dheber@mednet.ucla.edu
D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001688:Biological Products; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D009281:Naphthalenes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011506:Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013213:Starch / Q000627:therapeutic use
D001688:Biological Products; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D005227:Fatty Acids; D009281:Naphthalenes; D011506:Proteins; C117343:red yeast rice; D010758:Phosphorus; D013213:Starch