Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 31, 2026
11:06
Network Pharmacology Prediction and Metabolomics Validation of the Mechanism of Fructus Phyllanthi against Hyperlipidemia
Published on: April 7, 2023
Chinese herbal medicines for hypercholesterolemia
Zhao Lan Liu1, Jian Ping Liu, Anthony Lin Zhang
1Centre for Evidence-Based Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 11 Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China, 100029.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|July 8, 2011
Summary
Chinese herbal medicines show potential for lowering cholesterol, but evidence quality is limited. Further high-quality research is needed to confirm these lipid-lowering effects.
Area of Science:
- Integrative Medicine
- Cardiovascular Health
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Hypercholesterolemia is a significant risk factor for ischemic heart disease, linked to factors like age, hypertension, family history, and diabetes.
- Traditional Chinese herbal medicines have a long history of use as agents for reducing lipid levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically evaluate the efficacy of Chinese herbal medicines in managing hypercholesterolemia.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, and specialized Chinese medical databases, up to July 2010.
- Randomized controlled trials comparing Chinese herbal medicines with placebo, no treatment, or conventional interventions in hypercholesterolemic patients were included.
- Data extraction and risk of bias assessment were performed independently by two reviewers, with disagreements resolved by consensus.
Main Results:
- Twenty-two randomized trials involving 2130 participants were included, with a mean treatment duration of 2.3 months.
- The majority of trials (20) were conducted in China and exhibited a high or unclear risk of bias.
- Xuezhikang, a prominent herbal formula, demonstrated a significant reduction in total cholesterol compared to inositol nicotinate, although data on cardiovascular events were absent.
Conclusions:
- Certain Chinese herbal medicines may possess cholesterol-lowering properties.
- The observed effects require cautious interpretation due to the high or unclear risk of bias identified in the included studies.
- Further rigorous research is recommended to validate the efficacy and safety of these traditional remedies.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Lipid-Lowering Drugs: Statins and Miscellaneous Agents
Hyperlipidemia, a medical condition often referred to as high cholesterol, is characterized by abnormally elevated levels of lipids in the bloodstream. When present in excess, these lipids, specifically cholesterol and triglycerides, can lead to serious health complications, often involving cardiovascular diseases. Illnesses like atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and pancreatitis have all been linked to untreated hyperlipidemia. This means controlling and regulating cholesterol and triglyceride...
01:26Atherosclerosis III: Management
Management of atherosclerosis involves an integrated strategy encompassing pharmacological treatment, surgical interventions, lifestyle changes, and nutrition therapy to address the multifactorial nature of the disease.Pharmacological TherapyA cornerstone of atherosclerosis management is the use of pharmacological agents. Statins, such as atorvastatin, are pivotal in inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that catalyzes an initial step in cholesterol synthesis in the liver. This reduction in...
01:29Cholesterol: Significance and Regulation
Although not a source of energy, cholesterol plays a significant role as a foundational structure for bile salts, steroid hormones, and vitamin D, as well as being a crucial component of plasma membranes. Approximately 15% of blood cholesterol is derived from our diet, with the remainder synthesized from acetyl CoA by the liver and intestines. Cholesterol is eliminated from the body through its conversion into bile salts, which are eventually discarded in the feces.
Considering cholesterol and...
Considering cholesterol and...
01:18Lipids: Dietary Sources and Requirements
Lipids are an essential component of a balanced human diet. Triglycerides, which make up the majority of dietary lipids, are found in both saturated fats—commonly present in meat, dairy products, and certain tropical plants like coconut, and hydrogenated oils such as margarine and baking shortenings (trans fats)—and unsaturated fats, which are abundant in seeds, nuts, olive oil, and most vegetable oils. The main sources of cholesterol include egg yolks, various meats and organ meats, shellfish,...
01:26Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures
Effective preventive measures for coronary artery disease (CAD) focus on controlling modifiable risk factors, including cholesterol abnormalities and lifestyle changes.Cholesterol ManagementFirst, the Mediterranean diet and the American Heart Association advocate for maintaining low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dL, with a more stringent recommendation of below 70 mg/dL for individuals at high risk. LDL cholesterol, often termed "bad cholesterol," can lead to the...