Effects of purified herbal extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza on lipid profile in hyperlipidemic patients

Background and Objective Hyperlipidemia is one of the most potent and best substantiated risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD). Purified Salvia miltiorrhiza extract (PSME) had been shown to have hypolipidemic effect in animal experiments. This study aimed to evaluate its lipids modulating effects in hyperlipidemic patients. Methods In this single-blind, placebo controlled study, lipid profiles of 80 hyperlipidemic patients were checked at same conditions. They were divided into two equal groups randomly (each composing of 40 patients). They were given PSME tablet (800 mg) three times per day, or placebo tablet. All patients were put on NCEP type Ⅱ diet and six weeks later, lipid profiles were checked. Results In PSME group, total cholesterol decreased by 27.32mg/dl (12.3% reduction), LDL-cholesterol decreased by 23.13 mg/dl (16.8% reduction) and HDL-cholesterol increased by 9.06 mg/dl(11.1%), all were statistically significant. Although triglyceride dropped by 12.12 mg/dl (5.1%) but this was not significant statistically (P=0.34). There were no significant changes of lipids levels in the placebo group. Conclusions PSME has significant favorable effect on total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and HDL-cholesterol and may be a potential agent for the treatment of atherogenic dyslipidemia.