Accumulating evidence shows high plasma levels and preoxidation of LDL display the key role in atherogenesis. When LDL is oxidized, the affinity of LDL to its receptor is decreased and via scavenger receptor on macrophages is being taken off. The resultant accumulation of ox-LDL in macrophages leads to the appearance of foam cells and fatty streak formation in the subendothelial cells of arterial wall. In this study, antioxidant properties of eight natural volatile oils include: Geraniol, Thymol, Pulegone, P-cymol, Linalool, Limonene, Eugenol, Anethol and its effect on the affinity of native and oxidized-LDL to its receptor in bovine adrenal cells have been investigated in the presence of fluoresein isothiocyanate-labled-LDL. The results show that between volatile oils used in the study Eugenol and Thymol are the best compounds that were increased the affinity of native and oxidized LDL to its adrenal cells receptor. The effect of these compound on oxidized LDL is Thymol> Eugenol> Geraniol> Limonene> P-Cymol> Linalool> Anethol> Pulegone. And on native LDL is Eugenol> Thymol> Linalool> P-Cymol> Limonene> Geraniol> Pulegone> Anethol. These results indicate that, volatile oils especially Thymol and Eugenol have antioxidant properties and probably via its lipophylic effect and effect on the LDL particles changed the affinity of LDL for its receptor. However, deeper and more studies are warranted to use such compounds for clinical usages especially atherosclerosis and cholesterol reduction.

Backgrond: Silymarin, the seed extract of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn., contains flavonolignan compounds with powerful anti-oxidant properties. The favourable effects of herbal medicine with ant-ioxidant properties on lipid profile have been reported in several experimental studies. Objective: The aim of this research was to investigate the effects of cultivated and endemic silymarins and levostatin with ant-ioxidant properties on serum lipoproteins levels and atherosclerosis development in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Method: Hypercholesterolemic foods were fed to 5 groups of 8 rabbits, each for 60 days. One group negative control, second group received levostatin (10mg/kg) and other two groups received cultivated and endemic silymarins (200 mg/kg) daily one hour before feeding. The last group did not receive any drugs (positive control). The fasting blood total cholesterol, LDL and HDL-cholesterol and triglyceride levels were determind before starting the experiments and also after 30 and 60 days during the study. At the end of the study rabbits were killed and the extent of aortic atherosclerotic plaque were determined. Results: Results showed that, levostatin, cultivated and endemic silymarins caused a significant decrease in fasting serum cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol compared to control group. HDL-cholesterol increased and triglyceride level was significantly decreased in cultivated and endemic silymarins treated groups, as compared to positive control group. In addition, atherosclerotic plaque development was significantly decreased in levostatin, cultivated and endemic silymarins treated groups. Conclusion: Treatment of hypercholesterolemic rabbits with levostatin, cultivated and endemic silymarins showed favourable effects on serum lipid profile, as well as atherosclerotic plaque development.

Background: Phytoestrogens with a biological activity like estradiol are naturally found in many plants. Objective: This study was designed to investigate the effect of red clover (RC), a phytoestrogen-rich member of the legume family (Trifolium pratense L.) on the development of atherosclerosis in male hyperlipidemic rabbits. Method: Twenty rabbits were semi-randomly distributed into four groups of five each. Two groups received either normal diet or normal diet supplemented with RC. Two other groups received similar diets to both of which 1% cholesterol was added. Results: Dietary use of RC in hyperlipidemic rabbits significantly decreased C-reactive protein (CRP), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) whereas, HDL - cholesterol (HDL-C) was significantly increased in those animals (p<0.05). Fatty streak formation was also significantly lower in aorta and left and right coronary arteries in the same animals due to use of dietary RC supplementation. Conclusion: These findings suggest that dietary RC may reduce cardiovascular risk factors.

Background: Atherosclerosis that is caused a gradual deposition of lipids in muscular arteries remain a major cause of mortality worldwide. Dietary is one of the most important environmental factors associated with the incidence of these diseases. Diets high in cholesterol have been shown to promote atherosclerosis. Inversly diets high in vegetables have been shown to reduce development this disease. Objective: In many species of Artemisia evaluated antioxidative properties. The objective of this study was evaluating the effect of Artemisia aucheri extract on blood lipids and development of atherosclerosis in rabbits fed by a high cholesterol diet. Methods: Fifteen male rabbits were randomly divided in three experimental groups (normal diet group, hypercholesterolemic diet (HCD) group and the group that fed by HCD + supplemented with 100 mg/kg body weight Artemisia aucheri extract every other day). Total cholesterol (TC), LDL cholesterol, triglycerides (TG) and HDL cholesterol were measured before and after 1 and 2 months of experimental period. At the end of the experimental period the aorta was removed for assessment of atherosclerotic plaques. Results: Artemisia aucheri significantly reduced the levels of TC, LDL, TG and significantly increased the level of HDL. Degree of atherosclerotic plaque significantly reduced in this group. Conclusion: Results of this study indicate that Artemisia aucheri extract inhibits the development of atherosclerosis. This may be related to the effect of Artemisia aucheri on plasma lipoproteins in addition to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Background: Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is a drought tolerant fruit-bearing deciduous shrub native to Iran. It is widely cultivated in dry areas of Iran. Pomegranate fruit juice contains a wide range of polyphenolic metabolites, especially punicalagins with powerful antioxidative properties. Pomegranate seed oil is a unique natural product and a rich source of conjugated fatty acids. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the pharmacological effects of fruit juice and seed oil of pomegranate on serum lipid levels of hypercholesterolemic rabbits and development of atherosclerosis on their aortas. Methods: Fourthly two males and six months aged white New Zealand rabbits (1.7 -2 kg) were randomly assigned to six equal groups and caged in the same environmental condition. One group was fed on regular animal house rabbit chew. Five other groups fed with high cholesterol diet (1% cholesterol). One group kept as control and other 4 groups fed on same diet supplemented with 1% and 2% doses of pomegranate fruit juice or seed oil. The whole experiment lasted 2 months. At the end of the study (after 2 months) the biochemical analysis of serum lipids and pathological evaluation of atherosclerotic plaque of aortas were performed. Results: Results of biochemical analyses showed that administration of fruit juice and seed oil at both doses did not significantly affect the level of serum lipids profile of hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Pathological data analysis showed that treatments of rabbits with fruit juice and seed oil at both doses significantly reduced aortic atherosclerotic plaque formation. Conclusion: Pomegranate fruit juice and seed oil administration inhibited atherosclerosis development in hypercholesterolemic rabbit’s aortas without any significant effects on lipid profile.

Background: There is no certain result in the field of industrial pharmacy approaching to find effective drugs in prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis, like the control of lipid factors that are a major risk factors of atherosclerosis. Also the tendency of people to use herbal medicine is increasing. Objective: In this study effect of Gundelia tourenfortii L. on some cardiovascular risk factors in animal model assigned by analysis of biochemical factors. Methods: Twenty male rabbits were randomly divided in to 4 groups as: Normal diet, Normal diet supplemented with Gundelia tourenfortii L., high cholesterol diet, and high cholesterol diet supplemented with Gundelia tourenfortii L. Fasting Blood samples were taken at the first and end of the study. Results: Gundelia tourenfortii L. decrease the cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL - cholesterol, VLDL-Cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, oxidized LDL and factor VII. Also increase the level of HDL-Cholesterol and apolipoprotein A comparing to high cholesterol diet. Conclusion: Gundelia tourenfortii L. by decreasing lipid, lipoproteins and some cardiovascular new risk factors like apolipoprotein B, Oxidized-LDL and coagulation factor decrease atherosclerosis.

Background: Atherosclerosis which is the most common risk factor for CHD is caused by a gradual deposition of lipids in large and small arteries. Nowadays regression and suppression of atherosclerotic lesion is one of the candidate approach for prevention of atherosclerotic complication. Objective: Whereas large majority of people use herbal medicine for treatment, this study was designed to evaluate the effects of A. aucheri on regression of atherosclerosis in atherosclerotic rabbits. Methods: Twenty rabbits were randomly divided into four groups of five each and treated 3-months as follows: 1: normal diet for 3- month, 2, 3 and 4: Hypercholesterolemic diet (HCD) for 2- month. One group (2) killed after this period and two groups (3 and 4) received normal dietand normal diet + A. aucheri (100 mg. kg-1 .day-1) respectively for an additional 1 – month (regression period). Biochemical factors (total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL- cholesterol and triglycerides) were measured at first, end of second and third month. At the end of the study, animals killed and aortas were removed for assessment of atherosclerotic plaques. Results: Normal diet in regression period improved lipid profile but the animals in this group showed no regression but rather progression of atherosclerosis. Whereas extract of A. aucheri significantly decreased atherosclerotic area in the aorta. Conclusion: These findings suggest that control diet without additional treatment cannot stop the progression of atherosclerosis. To use A. aucheri with control diet can stop progression of atherosclerosis and is effective for regression of atherosclerotic lesion.