Aesthetic Plants as Therapeutic Agents

Abstract

The symptoms of arteriosclerosis are highly variable and can range from no symptoms (in the early stage of the disease) to heart attack or stroke (when the lumen of the artery is critically blocked). Sudden cardiac death can also be the first symptom of coronary heart disease. As a plaque grows along the lining of an I artery, it produces a rough area in the artery's normally smooth surface. This rough area can cause a blood clot to form inside the artery, which can totally block blood flow. As a result, the organ supplied by the blocked artery starves for blood and oxygen. The organ's cells may either die or suffer severe damage. Atherosclerosis can narrow the major arteries that supply blood to the legs, especially the femoral and popliteal arteries. These two arteries are qffected in 80% to 90% of people with this problem. The reduced blood flow to the legs may result in a crampy leg pain during exercise called intermittent claudication. If blood flow is compromised severely, parts of the leg may become pale or cyanotic (turn blue), feel cold to the touch and eventually develop gangrene. There are various drugs which reduces plasma lipids but with ! potential side effects. Herbal medication like Green Cardamom has potential to lower bad cholesterol, i.e. LDL-cholesterol and raise good cholesterol, i.e. HDL-cholesterol. In this work we compared hypolipidemic effects of Niacin with Cardamom. Seventy five hyperlipidemic patients were selected for research work. They were divided in three groups. Group-I was on placebo, group-II was given 1.5 grams Niacin, and group-Ill was advised to use powdered Cardamom thrice daily for the period of two months. Their lipid profile was measured at start of research and then on day-60. After two months therapy group-If reduced total cholesterol 30.8 mg/dl and LDL cholesterol 12.1 mgldl and increased HDL cholesterol 5.6 mg/dl. In group-III Cardamom decreased total cholesterol 7.2 mgldl and LDL cholesterol 8.8 mgldl. HDL cholesterol in this group increased 4. 9 mg/dl. When results were compiled and analyzed biostatistically, these changes were significant. We conclude from the research work that Niacin has more effects on total cholesterol but effects of both drugs on LDL cholesterol reduction was almost same.