The Influnce Of Huzhang And Its Abstracted On The Atherosclerosis Of Rabbits

Objective: To observe the effects of polygonum cuspidatum sieb. Et zucc and its abstracted components - polydatin and emodin on reducing the levels of cholestrol and on inhibiting atherosclerosis(AS) in the rabbits. The aim of the research is to assess the effects of polygonum cuspidatum sieb. Et zucc and its abstracted to AS.Methods: 30 rabbits were divided into five groups, which were fed with the following different diets and treatments for 18 weeks: (1) control group was on normal diet 150g/d; (2) hypercholesterolemia (HL) group was on normal diet plus 0.4% cholesterol and 1% lard; (3) polydatin(PD) group was on diet of group 2 plus polydatin 15mg/d; (4) emodin(ED) group was on diet of group 2 plus emodin 160mg/d; (5) Huzhang(HZ) group was on diet of group 2 plus polygonum cuspidaoim sieb. Et zucc. 2g/d. Plasma lipid were detected at the beginning and end of experiment. The region and degree of AS in aorta, coronary artery and the effect of inhibiting proliferation to vascular smooth muscle cells by polygonum cuspidatum sieb. Et zucc. , polydatin and emodin were determined after the experiment.Results : (1) Polygonum cuspidatum sieb. Et zucc. has the effects on reducing TC, LDL in the plasma, there was significant difference between HL group and HZ group, p<0.01; Polydatin has the effect only on reducing TC, the difference between HL* polygonum cuspidatum sieb. Et zucc.group and PD group was significant, p<0.05. (2) Polygonum cuspidatum sieb. Et zucc. can inhibit the formation of AS on aorta and coronary artery, there was significant difference in atherosclerotic region and degree on aorta and coronary artery between HL group and HZ group, p<0.05; Emodin has the same effects on aorta, the difference between HL group and ED group was significant, p<0.05. (3) Polygonum cuspidatum sieb. Et zucc. can inhibit the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells in aorta and coronary artery.Conclusion: These results of the studies indicate that polygonum cuspidatum sieb. Et zucc. has remarkable effects on reducing TC, LDL, inhibiting the formation of AS and the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells. Its effects is better than Polydatin and Emodin. Polygonum cuspidatum sieb. Et zucc. is easy to obtain and low cost, therefore, it may be a hopeful meidicine in the future for prevention and therapy of AS.