Anti-atherosclerotic potentials of TD.HLM01 herbal combination against lipid disorders induced by high-fat diet in rabbits

Context: Lipoprotein disorders and atherosclerosis are becoming increasingly common worldwide, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Lipid-lowering drugs such as statins have limitations in treating atherosclerosis due to adverse effects, including increased liver enzymes and rhabdomyolysis. Nature-derived products that regulate dyslipidemia and anti-atherosclerosis of herbal origins are currently of great interest. TD.HLM01 is an herbal product containing dried medicinal extracts such as Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz., Melicope pteleifolia (Champ. ex Benth.) T.G.Hartley, Garcinia oblongifolia Champ. ex Benth., Citrus reticulata Blanco. Aims: To assess the therapeutic effects of TD.HLM01 in atherosclerosis rabbits induced by high-fat diet. Methods: Experimental rabbits were orally administered with a mixture of cholesterol solution mixed in peanut oil and treated with atorvastatin (2.4 mg/kg b.w.) or TD.HLM01 at two doses (90 and 270 mg/kg/b.w.) for 10 consecutive weeks before the final assessment. Results: The investigational product significantly improved the serum lipid profile without any liver adverse events, provided protective effects in inflammatory and antioxidant parameters, and lowered aorta atherosclerosis and liver steatosis grading in both histopathological macro- and micro-images. Conclusions: This study has demonstrated the potential efficacy of TD.HLM01 in vivo in atherosclerosis treatment as a promising complementary product.