Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
General physician, Medical College, Shiraz University of Medical Science, Shiraz, Iran
2
Research Center for Non-communicable Diseases, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
3
M.A., Faculty of Humanities, Fasa Branch, Islamic Azad University, Fasa, Iran
4
General physician, Department of Medicine, Hormozgan University of Medical Science, Bandar Abbas, Iran
5
Doctor of dental medicine, Manila Central University, Manila, Philippines
Abstract
High levels of circulating fat are considered an important factor in atherosclerosis. So the most important object of the present study is to investigate the effect of nettle leaf extract mixture on atherosclerosis plaque formation and biochemical factors of cardiovascular diseases. Twenty-eight rabbits were randomly divided into four groups, normal diet as the control group, sunflower oil as a sham group, high cholesterolemic group (1% cholesterol), and high-cholesterol + nettle leaf extract (500 mg/kg of BW) group. Components were given to the sham and all 2 experimental groups as gavage. Obtained results of the present study indicated that body weight was reduced significantly in group III compared with the control groups and group II. In the slices prepared from the aorta of the 1% cholesterol-treated group, athreptic plaques were detectable. The plaques were formed of lipid-laden macrophages, and foam cells, with smooth muscle cells within the plaques. The thickness of the plaque increased so that it was more than half of the thickness of the environment. Pathology results showed that the nettle extract reduced significantly the damage in the arterial wall compared with the high-cholesterol group. The atheroma was fully raised and observable in the inner surface of the vessel (P<0/01). The results indicated that Grande ortie extract is efficient and tended to improve atherosclerosis complications in hypercholesterolemia rabbits.
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