Traditional Chinese medicine for lipid metabolism disorders

Dyslipidemia significantly contributes to the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in China. Statins are the first-line therapy for reducing LDL-C serum levels. However, they have adverse effects, which restrict their clinical application. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) preparations have been increasingly described for their beneficial effects in hyperlipidemic patients. Existing data show that the lipid-regulating effects of TCM may be related to: (1) inhibiting intestinal absorption of lipids; (2) reducing endogenous cholesterol synthesis; (3) regulating cholesterol transport; (4) promoting the excretion of cholesterol in the liver; (5) regulating transcription factors related to lipid metabolism. This study provides an overview of recent studies and elaborates the underlying mechanisms of lipid-regulation by TCM.