Effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. on atherosclerotic plaque in hypercholesterolemic rabbits

Atherosclerosis occurs principally in medium and large arteries and is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease. Epidemiologic study indicates that coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis is less in societies which use herbal medicines. Glycyrrhiza glabra is an herb of Papilionaceae family which contains hypolipidemic compounds and flavonoids with high antioxidant properties. This study was conducted to determine the effect of Glycyrrhiza glabra extract on blood lipid levels and atherosclerosis in rabbits fed with high cholesterol diet. Fifteen male rabbits were randomly divided into three groups, normal diet group, highcholesterolemic control group (1% cholesterol) and high-cholesterol + Glycyrrhiza glabra group (50 mg/kg body weight every other day). The concentration of total cholesterol (TC), LDL cholesterol, triglycerides (TG) and HDL cholesterol were determined in rabbits in the beginning of experiment, and in the end of the first and second month of the study. In the end of the experimental period the rabbits were killed having overdose chloroform and their aortas were removed for assessing atherosclerotic plaques. Results showed that Glycyrrhiza glabra decreased TC, LDL and TG levels and increased HDL, significantly. The lesion atherosclerotic significantly reduced in high-cholesterol + Glycyrrhiza glabra group as compared to highcholesterolemic control group. It could be suggested that the Glycyrrhiza glabra extract can effectively prevent the progress of atherosclerosis and extensive studies are needed to investigate the effect of Glycyrrhiza glabra in prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.