AIM: To explore the effects of fufang danshen diwan on the level of plasma lipid and arteriosclerosis in carotid artery in
rabbits fed by high fat forage. METHODS: Forty-eight male New Zealand white
rabbits were randomly divided into five
groups: normal control group, atherosclerosis model group, simvastatin group, fufang danshen diwan large and small dose groups. Rabbits in the normal control group were fed by common forage, and other four groups were fed with 40 g high fat forage everyday, common forage was given if necessary. The treatment groups were treated by drugs at the same time: simvastatin 4 mg/kg, fufang danshen diwan small dose 0. 013 g/(kg · d) and large dose0. 117g/(kg · d). Plasma lipid were measured with the blood from the ear vein at the beginning and the end of 12th week. The rabbits were killed by air embolism after the blood was fetched, and carotid artery was stripped instantly for pathological examination.
RESULTS: Fufang danshen diwan could significantly reduce the total cholesterol, triglyceride and low density lipoprotein(LDL), and increase the high density lipoprotein(HDL) . Intima thickness (IT) and inlima-medium thickness (IMT) and their ratio were also reduced. Compared with the model group, the inhibitory rate of IMT in the simvastatin and fufang danshen diwan small and large groups were 32% , 24% and 41%.
CONCLUSION: Fufang danshen diwan can reduce the blood lipid level and inhibit the formation of atherosclerosis.