Scientific Research on Maharishi Ayurveda

cardiovascular > cardiovascular study 1

Cardiovascular Research Study #1

Title
Effect of Herbal Mixtures MAK-4 and MAK-5 on Susceptibility of Human LDL to Oxidation

Publication
Complementary Medicine International, Vol. 3, No. 3, pp. 28-36, May/June 1996.

Authors
Atef N. Hanna, PhD,* Vidya Sundaram, MD,** James M. Falko, MD,** Ralph E. Stephens, PhD,* and Hari M. Sharma, MD, FRCPC.*

Conducted at
*Department of Pathology and **Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210

Summary
Oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) plays a central role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. This study investigated the in vivo antioxidant activity of MAK-4 and MAK-5 in a clinical setting, and investigated the in vitro antioxidant properties of MAK-4. Both the aqueous and alcoholic extracts of MAK-4 inhibited endothelial cell (EC)- and soybean lipoxygenase (SLP)-induced LDL oxidation in a concentration-dependent manner. The agent concentrations (microgram/mL) which inhibited 50% (IC50) of EC- and SLP-induced LDL oxidation, respectively, were 150.0 +/- 10.0 and 488.3 +/- 41.9 for the aqueous extract, and 69.3 +/- 8.1 and 128.3 +/- 18.9 for the alcoholic extract. In vitro pretreatment of LDL with MAK-4 increased the resistance of LDL to Cu+2-catalyzed LDL oxidation. Both the aqueous and alcoholic extracts inhibited free radical generation in a concentration-dependent manner. The IC50 was 16.35 +/- 4.27 for the aqueous extract, and 3.64 +/- 1.24 for the alcoholic extract; addition of both extracts showed a synergistic interaction. In hyperlipidemic patients, MAK-4 and MAK-5 increased resistance of LDL to oxidation by Cu+2 and EC. These results suggest that MAK-4 and MAK-5 protect LDL from oxidation and may be useful in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.