ANTI ATHEROSCLEROTIC EFFECT OF ETHANOLIC STEM EXTRACT OF CISSUS QUADRANGULARIS LINN

Atherosclerosis and the subsequent complications cause many deaths world wide. Though many medications like statins and surgical procedures are available to tackle this problem, none of them is hazard free. In the present study the ethanolic extract of the plant Cissus quadrangularis, traditionally used for many ailments including elevated blood cholesterol is evaluated scientifically on rat model of hypercholesterolemia for its antiatherosclerotic effect. The study done in atherogenic diet induced hypercholesterolemic rats, in comparison with the standard drug Atorvastatin revealed the dose dependent effect of the extract to increase the antioxidant levels like SOD and catalase and to decrease the damage due to lipid peroxidation. Moreover, the plant exhibited significant anticoagulant and membrane stabilizing effect apart from decreasing LDL and VLDL and increasing HDL level, all relevant in the prevention of complications due to atherosclerosis. Histopathological examination of liver and coronary artery of the treated rats also suggested the protective effect of the extract in atherosclerosis.