The effect of hydroalcoholic extracts of Hypericum perforatum and Amaranthus caudatus on rabbits with hypercholesterolemia

Atherosclerosis is one of the most common causes of death throughout the world. In this study, anti-atherosclerotic effect of combination extracts of Hypericum and Amaranth on hypercholesterolemic rabbits was compared with that of lovastatin. Twenty adult male Newzeland rabbits were randomly divided into four groups of five and were fed for 60 days as follows: basic diet, high cholesterol, high cholesterol along with combination Hypericum and Amaranth (HA) extract (75 mg/kg) and high cholesterol along with lovastatin (10 mg/kg). Blood samples were taken at the beginning, one month later and at the end of the study in order to measure their serum factors. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Danken tests. The extract and lovastatin decreased the levels malondialdehyde (MDA) and apolipoprotein B (apoB), apoB/apoA and increased the levels apolipoprotein A (apoA) in rabbits compared to high cholesterol group (P<0.05). The extract by decreasing cardiovascular risk factors especially apoB that is one of the most important risk factors of cardiovascular diseases, prevent progression of atherosclerosis. The extract is more effective in decreasing the level of cardiovascular risk factors than Lovastatin in hypercholesterolemic rabbits.