Evaluation of Antihyperlipidaemic and Cardioprotective Action of a Herbal Formulation

Abstract

As per WHO, Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally. CVDs also impart a huge financial burden and remain a hurdle for sustainable development in low and middle income countries. Hence there is an urgent need to identify individuals with high CVD risk and begin appropriate preventive intervention well in advance. In this study, 60 individuals of either sex, within the age group of 30 – 70 years, having hyperlipidaemia along with more than 10% of CVD risk were identified in lipid screening camps with the help of JBS 3 Heart Risk android application tool. A combination of three well known herbs in capsule form containing 500mg extract of Guggulu (Commiphora mukul), Pushkarmool (Inula racemosa) and Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna) in equal proportion was administered in a dose of 1 capsule twice daily after food with warm water for 3 months to treat hyperlipidaemia. Only 55 participants completed the trial. Different parameters of lipid profile, CVD risk score and biological heart age were compared before and after treatment using appropriate statistical method. The intervention resulted in reduction of total cholesterol by 17.49%, LDL by 21.04%, VLDL by 24.55% and Triglycerides by 24.55% whereas HDL increased by 10.48 %. As a secondary outcome, the mean CVD risk score was reduced by 6.91% and the mean biological heart age was also reduced by 6.64 years. The trial drug was well tolerated and free from adverse effects. Hence the trial drug can offer a safe and effective solution to individuals with hyperlipidaemia and moderate CVD risk.