A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW ON ANTI-HYPERLIPIDEMIC DRUGS IN AYURVEDA
Main Article Content
Keywords
Ayurvedic Medicine, Hyperlipidemia Management, Phytoconstituents, Molecular Pathways, Polyherbal Formulations, Lipid Profile Modulation
Abstract
Dyslipidemia continues to be a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity, and Ayurvedic system therapy reports many plant therapies with major lipid-lowering properties. Systematic evaluation of important plants, such as Commiphora mukul, Berberis aristata, Curcuma longa, Picrorhiza kurroa, Plumbago zeylanica, Cyperus rotundus, and the polyherbaceous preparation Triphala, underscores their pharmacognostic qualities and bioactive constituents. These drugs work by complementary biochemical mechanisms like inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase, activation of the AMP-activated protein kinase, stimulation of bile acid secretion, modulation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, and enhancement of the antioxidant defense systems. Together, these mechanisms promote reduced cholesterol synthesis, enhanced fatty acid oxidation, improved lipid clearance, and protection against Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation. Preclinical trials and clinical trial evidence show consistent decreases in total cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides and moderate increases in High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL). Polyphenols, terpenoids, and alkaloids have synergistic action, which is important in metabolic control and oxidative stress reduction. The majority of these compounds are largely free from side effects, and therefore, they can be used for long-term metabolic control. The integration of Ayurvedic concepts with molecular pharmacology makes them useful as adjuncts or alternatives to standard hypolipidemic drugs, especially in statin-intolerant populations. Ongoing standardization of the phytoconstituents, incorporation of network pharmacology, and strong multicentric clinical trials will be critical in realizing worldwide acceptance and formal integration of these plant therapeutics into evidence-based dyslipidemia management plans.
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