Main Article Content
Abstract
Hyperlipidemia has been ranked as one of the greatest risk factors contributing to prevalence and severity of coronary heart diseases. Coronary heart disease, stroke, atherosclerosis and hyperlipidemia are the primary cause of death. The elevation of serum total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol has been reported as a primary risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Hyperlipidemia is a condition when abnormally high levels of lipids i.e. the fatty substances are found in the blood. Hypolipidemic drugs are extensively used as prophylactic agents to prevent such atherosclerosis induced disorders. But these hypolipidemic drugs are not free from adverse effects. Many plant derivatives and domestic remedies have been screened for their hypolipidemic action. More than 70 medicinal plants have been documented to have significant hypolipidemic action. During the last decade, an increase in the use of medicinal plants has been observed in metropolitan areas of developed countries. Medicinal plants play a major role in hypolipidemic activity. The advantages of herbal medicines reported are effectiveness, safety, affordability and acceptability. This review focus on hyperlipidemia and the role of plants used for the treatment of hyperlipidemia.