The antiatherogenic effect of a herbal formulation,
Caps HT2, was evaluated as
antioxidant,
anticoagulant, platelet antiaggregatory,
lipoprotein lipase releasing, anti-inflammatory and hypolipidaemic activity in rats. The formulation contained the methanolic extracts of selected parts of plants, Commiphora mukul, Allium sativum, Plumbago indica, Semecarpus anacardium, Hemidesmus indicus, Terminalia arjuna, Tinospora cordifolia, Withania somnifera and Ocimum sanctum. The formulation,
Caps HT2 was found to scavenge
superoxide and
hydroxyl radicals; the IC50 required being 55.0 and 610.0 microg/ml respectively. The lipid peroxidation was found inhibited (50%) by 48.5 microg/ml of
Caps HT2. The
intravenous administration of the formulation (5 mg/kg) delayed the plasma recalcification time in rabbits and enhanced the release of
lipoprotein lipase enzyme significantly (p < 0.001). The formulation also inhibited
ADP induced platelet aggregation in vitro, which was comparable to commercial
heparin. The anti-inflammatory action of the formulation was significant (p < 0.001) with acute and chronic
inflammations induced by
carrageenan and
formalin respectively in rats. The hypolipidaemic effect of
Caps HT2 was significant (p < 0.001) with the administration of the formulation, in diet-induced hyperlipidaemia of rats for a period of 30 days.
Oral administration of the formulation,
Caps HT2 (100, 200, 300 and 400 mg/kg) significantly raised
HDL cholesterol levels. The atherogenic index and the reduction in
body weight were significant indicating the effectiveness against hyperlipidaemia and
obesity. All these results revealed the therapeutic potential of
Caps HT2 against vascular intimal damage and
atherogenesis leading to various types of cardiovascular problems.