Reduction of cholesterol and other cardiovascular disease risk factors by alternative therapies

References

• Adameova A, Xu YJ, Duhamel TA et al. Antiatherosclerotic molecules targeting oxidative stress and inflammation. Curr. Pharm. Des. 15, 3094–3107 (2009).
   Google Scholar
• Bellosta S, Corsini A. Statin drug interactions and related adverse reactions. Expert Opin. Drug Saf. 11, 933–946 (2012). Concise and highly informative review on the use and safety of statin drugs.
   Google Scholar
• Culver AL, Ockene IS, Balasubramanian R et al. Statin use and risk of diabetes mellitus in postmenopausal women in the Women’s Health Initiative. Arch. Intern. Med. 172, 144–152 (2012).
   Google Scholar
• Taylor F, Ward K, Moore TH et al. Statins for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Cochrane Database Syst. Rev. (1), CD004816 (2011).
   Google Scholar
• Tachjian A, Maria V, Jahangir A. Use of herbal products and potential interactions in patients with cardiovascular disease. J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. 55, 515–525 (2010). Highlights the use, safety and regulatory issues of some popular herbal products.
   Google Scholar
• Mamtani R, Mamtani R. Ayurveda and yoga in cardiovascular diseases. Cardiol. Rev. 13, 155–162 (2005).
   Google Scholar
• Ceylan-Isik AF, Fliethman RM, Wold LE, Ren J. Herbal and traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of cardiovascular complications in diabetes mellitus. Curr. Diabetes Rev. 4, 320–328 (2008). Focuses on the applicability of herbal or traditional Chinese medicines as therapy for diabetes, with an emphasis on diabetic cardiovascular complications.
   Google Scholar
• Cheung F. Made in China. Nature 480, S82–S83 (2011). Describes the approaches undertaken to integrate traditional Chinese medicines into modern medicine.
   Google Scholar
• Hasani-Ranjbar S, Nayebi N, Moradi L et al. The efficacy and safety of herbal medicines used in the treatment of hyperlipidemia: a systematic review. Curr. Pharm. Des. 16, 2935–2947 (2010). A comprehensive and informative review on clinical trials, efficacy and safety of a number of herbal products.
   Google Scholar
• Mashour NH, Lin GI, Frishman WH. Herbal medicine for the treatment of cardiovascular disease: clinical considerations. Arch. Intern. Med. 158, 2225–2234 (1998).
   Google Scholar
• Yang CW, Mousa SA. The effect of red rice (Monascus purpureus) in dyslipidemia and other disorders. Complement. Ther. Med. 20, 466–474 (2012).
   Google Scholar
• Shang Q, Liu Z, Chen K et al. A systematic review of xuezhikang, an extract from red yeast rice, for coronary heart disease complicated by dyslipidemia. Evid. Based Complement. Med. 2012, 636547 (2012).
   Google Scholar
• Marazzi G, Cacciotti L, Pelliccia F et al. Long-term effects of nutraceuticals (berberine, red yeast rice, policosanol) in ederly hypercholesterolemic patients. Adv. Ther. 28, 1105–1113 (2011).
   Google Scholar
• Lee IT, Lee WJ, Tsai CM et al. Combined extractives of red yeast rice, bitter gourd, chlorella, soy protein, and licorice improve total cholesterol. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride in subjects with metabolic syndrome. Nutr. Res. 32, 85–92 (2012).
   Google Scholar
• Karl M, Rubenstein M, Rudnick C, Brejda J. A multicenter study of nutraceutical drinks for cholesterol (evaluating effectiveness and tolerability). J. Clin. Lipidol. 6, 150–158 (2012).
   Google Scholar
• Ogier N, Amiot MJ, George S et al. LDL cholesterol-lowering effect of a dietary supplement with plant extracts in subjects with moderate hypercholeserolemia. Eur. J. Nutr. 52(2), 547–557 (2013).
   Google Scholar
• Gordon RY, Cooperman T, Obermeyer W, Becker DJ. Marked variability of monacolin levels in commercial red yeast rice products: buyer beware! Arch. Intern. Med. 170, 1722–1727 (2010).
   Google Scholar
• Potterat O. Goji (Lycium barbarum and L. Chinese): phytochemistry, pharmacology and safety in the perspective of traditional uses and recent popularity. Planta Med. 76, 7–19 (2010).
   Google Scholar
• Amagase H, Nance DM. A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical study of the general effects of a standardized Lycium barbarum (Goji) juice, Gochi. J. Altern. Complement. Med. 14, 403–412 (2008).
   Google Scholar
• Bucheli P, Vidal K, Shen L et al. Goji berry effects on macular characteristics and plasma antioxidant levels. Optom. Vis. Sci. 88, 257–262 (2011).
   Google Scholar
• Luo Q, Cai Y, Yan J, Sun M, Corke H. Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects and antioxidant activity of fruit extracts from Lycium barbarum. Life Sci. 76, 137–149 (2004).
   Google Scholar
• Lam AY, Elmer GW, Mohutsky MA. Possible interaction between warfarin and Lycium barbarum L. Ann. Pharmacother. 35, 1199–1201 (2001).
   Google Scholar
• Leung H, Hung A, Hui AC, Chan TY. Warfarin overdose due to the possible effects of Lycium barbarum L. Food Chem. Toxicol. 46, 1860–1862 (2008).
   Google Scholar
• Adams M, Wiedenmann M, Tittel G, Bauer R. HPLC-MS trace analysis of atropine in Lycium barbarum berries. Phytochem. Anal. 17,279–283 (2006).
   Google Scholar
• Antony B, Benny M, Kaimal TN. A pilot clinical study to evaluate the effect of Emblica officinalis extract (Amlamax™) on markers of systemic inflammation and dyslipidemia. Indian J. Clin. Biochem. 23, 378–381 (2008).
   Google Scholar
• Yokozawa T, Kim HY, Kim HJ et al. Amla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.) prevents dyslipidaemia and oxidative stress in the ageing process. Br. J. Nutr. 97, 1187–1195 (2007).
   Google Scholar
• Jacob A, Pandey M, Kapoor S, Saroja R. Effect of the Indian gooseberry (Amla) on serum cholesterol levels in men aged 35–55 years. Eur. J. Clin. Nutr. 42, 939–944 (1998).
   Google Scholar
• Akhtar MS, Ramzan A, Ali A, Ahmad M. Effect of Amla fruit (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.) on blood glucose and lipid profile of normal subjects and Type 2 diabetic patients. Int. J. Food Sci. Nutr. 62, 609–616 (2011).
   Google Scholar
• Saravanan S, Srikumar R, Manikandan S et al. Hypolipidemic effect of triphala in experimentally induced hypercholesteremic rats. Yakugaku Zasshi 127, 385–388 (2007).
   Google Scholar
• Rajan SS, Antony S. Hypoglycemic effect of triphala on selected non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus subjects. Anc. Sci. Life 27, 45–49 (2008).
   Google Scholar
• Maruthappan V, Shree KS. Hypolipidemic activity of haritaki (Terminalia chebula) in atherogenic diet induced hyperlipidemic rats. J. Adv. Pharm. Technol. Res. 1, 229–235 (2010).
   Google Scholar
• Shaila HP, Udupa AL, Udupa SL. Preventive actions of Terminalia belerica in experimentally induced atherosclerosis. Int. J. Cardiol. 49, 101–106 (1995).
   Google Scholar
• Huang YN, Zhao DD, Gao B et al. Antihyperglycemic effect of chebulagic acid from the fruits of Terminalia chebula Retz. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 13, 6320–6333 (2012).
   Google Scholar
• Murali YK, Anand P, Tandon V et al. Long-term effects of Terminalia chebula Retz. on hyperglycemia and associated hyperlipidemia, tissue glycogen content and in vitro release of insulin in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Exp. Clin. Endocrinol. Diabetes 115, 641–646 (2007).
   Google Scholar
• Englisch W, Beckers C, Unkauf M et al. Efficacy of artichoke dry extract in patients with hyperlipoproteinemia. Arzneimittelforschung 50, 260–265 (2000).
   Google Scholar
• Bundy R, Walker AF, Middleton RW et al. Artichoke leaf extract (Cyanara scolymus) reduces plasma cholesterol in otherwise healthy hypercholesterolemic adults: a randomized, double-blind placebo controlled trial. Phytomedicine 15, 668–675 (2008).
   Google Scholar
• Skarpanska-Stejnborn A, Pilaczynska-Szczesniak L, Basta P et al. The influence of supplementation with artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) extract on selected redox parameters in rowers. Int. J. Sport Nutr. Exerc. Metab. 18, 313–327 (2008).
   Google Scholar
• Cheema SK, Goel V, Basu TK, Agellon LB. Dietary rhubarb (Rheum rhaponticum) stalk fibre does not lower plasma cholesterol levels in diabetic rats. Br. J. Nutr. 89, 201–206 (2003).
   Google Scholar
• Goel V, Ooraikul B, Basu TK. Cholesterol lowering effects of rhubarb stalk fiber in hypercholesterolemic men. J. Am. Coll. Nutr. 16, 600–604 (1997).
   Google Scholar
• Frassetto L, Kohlstadt I. Treatment and prevention of kidney stones: an update. Am. Fam. Physician 84, 1234–1242 (2011).
   Google Scholar
• Bagga HS, Chi T, Miller J, Stoller ML. New insights in to the pathogenesis of renal calculi. Urol. Clin. N. Am. 40, 1–12 (2003).
   Google Scholar
• Sobenin IA, Pryanishnikov VV, Kunnova LM et al. The effects of time-released garlic powder tablets on multifunctional cardiovascular risk in patients with coronary artery disease. Lipids Health Dis. 9, 119 (2010).
   Google Scholar
• Sobenin IA, Andrianova IV, Demidova ON et al. Lipid-lowering effects of time-released garlic powder tablets in double-blinded placebo-controlled randomized study. J. Atheroscler. Thromb. 15, 334–338 (2008).
   Google Scholar
• Sobenin IA, Prianishnikov VV, Kunnova LM et al. Allicor efficacy in lowering the risk of ischemic heart disease in primary prophylaxis. Ter. Arkh. 77, 9–13 (2005).
   Google Scholar
• Sobenin IA, Nedosugova LV, Filatova LV et al. Metabolic effects of time-released garlic powder tablets in Type 2 diabetes mellitus: the results of double-blinded placebo-controlled study. Acta Diabetol. 45, 1–6 (2008).
   Google Scholar
• Gardner CD, Lawson LD, Block E et al. Effect of raw garlic vs. commercial garlic supplements on plasma lipid concentrations in adults with moderate hypercholesterolemia. Arch. Intern. Med. 167, 346–353 (2007).
   Google Scholar
• Maslin D. Effects of garlic on cholesterol: not down but not out either. Arch. Intern. Med. 111–112 (2008).
   Google Scholar
• Charlson M, McFerren M. Garlic what we know and what we don’t know. Arch. Intern. Med. 167, 325–326 (2007).
   Google Scholar
• Cicero AF, Ferroni A, Ertek S. Tolerability and safety of commonly used dietary supplements and nutraceuticals with lipid-lowering effects. Expert Opin. Drug Saf. 11, 753–766 (2012).
   Google Scholar
• Singh D, Gupta R, Saraf SA. Herbs – are they safe enough? An overview. Crit. Rev. Food Sci. Nutr. 52, 876–898 (2012).
   Google Scholar
• Roberts KT. The potential of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) as a functional food and nutraceutical and its effects on glycemia and lipidemia. J. Med. Food 14, 1485–1489 (2011).
   Google Scholar
• Vijayakumar MV, Pandey V, Mishra GC, Bhat MK. Hypolipidemic effect of fenugreek seeds is mediated through inhibition of fat accumulation and upregulation of LDL receptor. Obesity (Silver Spring) 18, 667–674 (2010).
   Google Scholar
• Puri D, Prabhu KM, Murthy PS. Antidiabetic effect of GII compound purified from Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum Linn) seeds in diabetic rats. Indian J. Clin. Biochem. 27, 21–27 (2012).
   Google Scholar
• Kumar P, Kale RK, Baquer NZ. Antihyperglycemic and protective effects of Trigonella foenum graecum and seed powder on biochemical alterations in alloxan diabetic rats. Eur. Rev. Med. Pharmacol. Sci. (Suppl. 3), S18–S27 (2012).
   Google Scholar
• Annida B, Stanely Mainzen Prince P. Supplementation of fenugreek leaves lower lipid profile in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. J. Med. Food 7, 153–156 (2004).
   Google Scholar
• Kassaian N, Azadbakht L, Forghani B, Amini M. Effect of fenugreek seeds on blood glucose and lipid profiles in Type 2 diabetic patients. Int. J. Vitam. Nutr. Res. 79, 34–39 (2009).
   Google Scholar
• Gupta A, Gupta R, Lal B. Effect of Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) seeds on glycaemic control and insulin resistance in Type 2 diabetes mellitus: a double blind placebo controlled study. J. Assoc. Physicians India 49, 1057–1061 (2001).
   Google Scholar
• Sharma RD, Raghuram TC, Rao NS. Effect of fenugreek seeds on blood glucose and serum lipids in Type I diabetes. Eur. J. Clin. Nutr. 44, 301–306 (1990).
   Google Scholar
• Bordia A, Verma SK, Srivastava KC. Effect of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) and fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum L.) on blood lipids, blood sugar and platelet aggregation in patients with coronary artery disease. Prostaglandins Leukot. Essent. Fatty Acids 56, 379–384 (1997).
   Google Scholar
• Alwi I, Santoso T, Suyono S et al. The effect of curcumin on lipid level in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Acta Med. Indones 40, 201–210 (2008).
   Google Scholar
• Wickenberg J, Ingemansson SL, Hlebowicz J. Effects of Curcuma longa (turmeric) on postprandial plasma glucose and insulin in healthy subjects. Nutr. J. 9, 43 (2010).
   Google Scholar
• Mohammadi A, Sahebkar A, Iranshahi M et al. Effects of supplementation with curcuminoids on dyslipidemia in obese patients: a randomized crossover trial. Phytother. Res. 27(3), 374–379 (2012).
   Google Scholar
• Gupta SC, Kismali G, Aggarwal BB. Curcumin, a component of turmeric: from farm to pharmacy. Biofactors 39, 2–13 (2013).
   Google Scholar
• Fan X, Zhang C, Liu DB, Yan J, Liang HP. The clinical applications of curcumin: current state and the future. Curr. Pharm. Des. 19, 2011–2031 (2013).
   Google Scholar
• López-L á zaro M. Anticancer and carcinogenic properties of curcumin: considerations for its clinical development as a cancer chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agent. Mol. Nutr. Food Res. 52, S103–S127 (2008).
   Google Scholar
• Moos PJ, Edes K, Mullally JE, Fitzpatrick FA. Curcumin impairs tumor suppressor p53 function in colon cancer cells Carcinogenesis 25, 1611–1617 (2004).
   Google Scholar
• Burgos-Moron E, Calderón-Montaño JM, Salvador J, Robles A, López-L á zaro M. The dark side of curcumin. Int. J. Cancer 126, 1771–1775 (2010).
   Google Scholar
• Hsu CH, Cheng AL. Clinical studies with curcumin. Adv. Exp. Med. Biol. 595, 471–480 (2007).
   Google Scholar
• Jiao Y, Wilkinson J 4th, Di X et al. Curcumin, a cancer chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agent, is a biologically active iron chelator. Blood 113, 462–469 (2009).
   Google Scholar
• Alizadeh-Navaei R, Roozbeh F, Saravi M et al. Investigation of the effect of ginger on the lipid levels. A double blind controlled clinical trial. Saudi Med. J. 29, 1280–1284 (2008).
   Google Scholar
• Visavadiya NP, Narasimhacharya AV. Ameliorative effects of herbal combinations in hyperlipidemia. Oxid. Med. Cell. Longev. 2011, 160408 (2011).
   Google Scholar
• Birari RB, Gupta S, Mohan CG, Bhutani KK. Antiobesity and lipid lowering effects of glycyrrhiza chalcones: experimental and computational studies. Phytomedicine 18, 795–801 (2011).
   Google Scholar
• Eu CH, Lim WY, Ton SH, Bin Abdul Kadir K. Glycyrrhizic acid improved lipoprotein lipase expression, insulin sensitivity, serum lipid and lipid deposition in high-fat dietinduced obese rats. Lipids Health Dis. 9, 81 (2010).
   Google Scholar
• Maurya SK, Raj K, Srivastava AK. Antidyslipidaemic activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra in high fructose diet induced dsyslipidaemic Syrian golden hamsters. Indian J. Clin. Biochem. 24, 404–409 (2009).
   Google Scholar
• Visavadiya NP, Narasimhacharya AV. Hypocholesterolaemic and antioxidant effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra (Linn) in rats. Mol. Nutr. Food Res. 50, 1080–1086 (2006).
   Google Scholar
• Sitohy MZ, el-Massry RA, el-Saadany SS, Labib SM. Metabolic effects of licorice roots (Glycyrrhiza glabra) on lipid distribution pattern, liver and renal functions of albino rats. Nahrung 35, 799–806 (1991).
   Google Scholar
• Sen S, Roy M, Chakraborti AS. Ameliorative effects of glycyrrhizin on streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats. J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 63, 287–296 (2011).
   Google Scholar
• Lee IT, Lee WJ, Tsai CM et al. Combined extractives of red yeast rice, bitter gourd, chlorella, soy protein, and licorice improve total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride in subjects with metabolic syndrome. Nutr. Res. 32, 85–92 (2012).
   Google Scholar
• Fuhrman B, Volkova N, Kaplan M et al. Antiatherosclerotic effects of licorice extract supplementation on hypercholesterolemic patients: increased resistance of LDL to atherogenic modifications, reduced plasma lipid levels, and decreased systolic blood pressure. Nutrition 18, 268–273 (2002).
   Google Scholar
• Bell ZW, Canale RE, Bloomer RJ. A dual investigation of the effect of dietary supplementation with licorice flavonoid oil on anthropometric and biochemical markers of health and adiposity. Lipids Health Dis. 10, 29 (2011).
   Google Scholar
• Størmer FC, Reistad R, Alexander J. Glycyrrhzic acid in liquorice – evaluation of health hazard. Food Chem. Toxicol. 31, 303–312 (1993).
   Google Scholar
• Reeve VE, Allanson M, Arun SJ et al. Mice drinking goji berry juice (Lycium barbarum) are protected from UV radiation-induced skin damage via antioxidant pathways. Photochem. Photobiol. Sci. 9, 601–607 (2010).
   Google Scholar
• Sun B, Sun GB, Xiao J et al. Isorhamnetin inhibits H2O2-induced activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway in H9c9 cardiomyocytes through scavenging reactive oxygen species and ERK inactivation. J. Cell. Biochem. 113, 473–485 (2012).
   Google Scholar
• Malik S, Goyal S, Ojha SK et al. Seabuckthorn attenuates cardiac dysfunction and oxidative stress in isoproterenol-induced cardiotoxicity in rats. Int. J. Toxicol. 30, 671–680 (2011).
   Google Scholar
• Zhang W, Zhao J, Wang J et al. Hypoglycemic effect of aqueous extract of seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) seed residues in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Phytother. Res. 24, 228–232 (2010).
   Google Scholar
• Zhang X, Long W, Liu G et al. Effect of seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides ssp. Sinensis) leaf extract on the swimming endurance and exhaustive exercise-induced oxidative stress of rats. J. Sci. Food Agric. 92, 736–742 (2012).
   Google Scholar
• Maheshwari DT, Yogendra KMS, Verma SK et al. Antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities of phenolic rich fraction of seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) leaves. Food Chem. Toxicol. 49, 2422–2428 (2011).
   Google Scholar
• Hwang IS, Kim JE, Choi SI et al. UV radiation-induced skin aging in hairless mice is effectively prevented by oral intake of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) fruit blend for 6 weeks through MMP suppression and increase of SOD activity. Int. J. Mol. Med. 30, 392–400 (2012).
   Google Scholar
• Larmo PS, Yang B, Hurme SA et al. Effects of a low dose of sea buckthorn berries on circulating concentrations of cholesterol, triacylglycerols, and flavonols in healthy adults. Eur. J. Nutr. 48, 277–282 (2009).
   Google Scholar
• Arimboor R, Arumughan C. HPLC-DAD-MS/MS profiling of antioxidant flavonoid glycosides in sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) seeds. Int. J. Food Sci. 63, 730–738 (2012).
   Google Scholar
• Nemes-Nagy E, Szocs-Molnar T, Dunca I et al. Effect of a dietary supplement containing blueberry and sea buckthorn concentrate on antioxidant capacity in Type 1 diabetic children. Acta Physiol. Hung. 95, 383–393 (2008).
   Google Scholar
• Negi B, Kaur R, Dey G. Protective effects of a novel sea buckthorn wine on oxidative stress and hypercholesterolemia. Food Funct. 4(2), 240–248 (2012).
   Google Scholar
• Xu YJ, Kaur M, Dhillon RS et al. Health benefits of sea buckthorn for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. J. Funct. Foods 3, 2–12 (2011).
   Google Scholar
• Eccleston C, Baoru Y, Tahvonen R et al. Effects of an antioxidant-rich juice (sea buckthorn) on risk factors for coronary heart disease in humans. J. Nutr. Biochem. 13, 346–354 (2002).
   Google Scholar
• Asgary S, Naderi GH, Sarrafzadegan N et al. Antihypertensive and antihyperlipidemic effects of Achillea wilhelmsii. Drugs Exp. Clin. Res. 26, 89–93 (2000).
   Google Scholar
• Huseini HF, Larijani B, Heshmat R et al. The efficacy of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. (silymarin) in the treatment of Type II diabetes: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial. Phytother. Res. 20, 1036–1039 (2006).
   Google Scholar
• Di Pierro F, Villanova N, Agostini F et al. Pilot study on the additive effects of berberine and oral Type 2 diabetes agents for patients with suboptimal glycemic control. Diabetes Metab. Syndr. Obes. 5, 213–217 (2012).
   Google Scholar
• El-Kamary SS, Shardell MD, Abdel-Hamid M et al. A randomized controlled trial to assess the safety and efficacy of silymarin on symptoms, signs and biomarkers of acute hepatitis. Phytomedicine 16, 391–400 (2009).
   Google Scholar
• Hu Y, Ehlie E, Kittelsrud J, Ronan PJ, Munger K et al. Lipid-lowering effect of berberine in human subjects and rats. Phytomedicine 19, 861–867 (2012).
   Google Scholar
• Derosa G, D’Angelo A, Bonaventura A et al. Effects of berberine on lipid profile in subjects with low cardiovascular risk. Expert Opin. Biol. Ther. 13, 475–482 (2013).
   Google Scholar
• Di Pierro F, Villanova N, Agostini F et al. Pilot study on the additive effects of berberine and oral Type 2 diabetes agents for patients with suboptimal glycemic control. Diabetes Metab. Syndr. Obes. 5, 213–217 (2012).
   Google Scholar
• Pisciotta L, Bellocchio A, Bertolini S. Nutraceutical pill containing berberine versus ezetimibe on plasma lipid pattern in hypercholesterolemic subjects and its additive effect in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia on stable cholesterol-lowering treatment. Lipids Health Dis. 11, 123 (2012).
   Google Scholar
• Derosa G, Maffioli P, Cicero A. Berberine on metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors: an analysis from preclinical evidences to clinical trials. Expert Opin. Biol. Ther. 12, 1113–1124 (2012).
   Google Scholar
• Dong H, Zhao Y, Zhao L, Lu F. The effects of berberine on blood lipids: a systemic reviews and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Planta Med. 79(6), 437–446 (2013).
   Google Scholar
• Subramaniam S, Ramachandran S, Uttrapathi S et al. Anti-hyperlipidemic and antioxidant potential of different fractions of Terminalia arjuna Roxb. bark against PX-407 induced hyperlipidemia. Indian J. Exp. Biol. 49, 282–288 (2011).
   Google Scholar
• Subramaniam S, Subramaniam R, Rajapandandian S et al. Anti-atherogenic activity of ethanolic fraction of Terminalia arjuna bark on hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Evid. Based Complement. Altern. Med. 2011, 487916 (2011).
   Google Scholar
• Biswas M, Kaur B, Bhattacharya S et al. Antihyperglycemic activity and antioxidant role of Terminalia arjuna leaf in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Pharm. Biol. 49, 335–340 (2011).
   Google Scholar
• Dwivedi S, Aggarwal A, Agarwal MP, Rajpal S. Role of Terminalia arjuna in ischaemic mitral regurgitation. Int. J. Cardiol. 100, 507–508 (2005).
   Google Scholar
• Bharani A, Ganguly A, Bhargava KD. Salutary effect of Terminalia arjuna in patients with severe refractory heart failure. Int. J. Cardiol. 49, 191–199 (1995).
   Google Scholar
• Bharani A, Ganguli A, Mathur LK et al. Efficacy of Terminalia arjuna in chronic stable angina: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study comparing Terminalia arjuna with isosorbide mononitrate. Indian Heart J. 54, 170–175 (2002).
   Google Scholar
• Maulik SK, Talwar KK. Therapeutic potential of Terminalia arjuna in cardiovascular disorders. Am. J. Cardiovasc. Drugs 12, 157–163 (2012).
   Google Scholar
• Maulik SK, Katiyar CK. Terminalia arjuna in cardiovascular diseases: making the transition from traditional to modern medicine in India. Curr. Pharm. Biotechnol. 11, 855–860 (2010).
   Google Scholar
• Gupta R, Singhal S, Goyle A, Sharma VN. Antioxidant and hypocholesterolaemic effects of Terminalia arjuna tree-bark powder: a randomised placebo-controlled trial. J. Assoc. Physicians India 49, 231–235 (2001).
   Google Scholar
• Liang F, Koya D. Acupuncture: is it effective for treatment of insulin resistance? Diabetes Obes. Metab. 12, 555–569 (2010). Reviews data between 1979 and 2009 on the effectiveness of acupuncture as a treatment for insulin resistance. The evidence presented supports the efficacy of acupuncture in insulin resistance.
   Google Scholar
• Peplow PV, Baxter GV. Electroacupuncture for control of blood glucose in diabetes: literature review. J. Acupunct. Meridian Stud. 5, 1–10 (2012).
   Google Scholar
• Li L, Wang ZY. Clinical therapeutic effects of body acupuncture and ear acupuncture on juvenile simple obesity and effects on metabolism of blood lipids. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu 26, 173–176 (2006). Reports that both ear acupuncture and body acupuncture have therapeutic efficacy in improving lipid profiles in young obese subjects.
   Google Scholar
• Ren XJ, Ma HF, Wang XN et al. Effect of acupuncture on serum lipid and cerebral neurogrowth factor levels in hyperlipemia rats with concurrent cerebral ischemia. Zhen Ci Yan Jiu 32, 24–28 (2007).
   Google Scholar
• Xie JP, Liu GL, Qiao JL et al. Multi-central randomized controlled study on electroacupuncture at Fenglong (ST 40) for regulating blood lipids. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu 29, 345–348 (2009).
   Google Scholar
• Li Q, Li L, Wang SJ et al. Effect of electroacupuncture on lipid metabolism in metabolic syndrome. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu 30, 713–716 (2010).
   Google Scholar
• Chen M, Shi XY, Xu B et al. Clinical observation on acuptomy for treatment of simple obesity. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu 31, 539–542 (2011).
   Google Scholar
• Tong J, Chen JX, Zhang ZQ et al. Clinical observation on simple obesity treated by acupuncture. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu 31, 697–701 (2011).
   Google Scholar
• Zhang HX, Wang Q, Huang H et al. Effect of electroacupuncture at “Fenglong” (ST 40) on rats with hyperlipidemia and its mechanism. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu 32, 241–245 (2012).
   Google Scholar
• Cabioglu MT, Ergene N. Electroacupuncture therapy for weight loss reduces serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol levels in obese women. Am. J. Chin. Med. 33, 525–533 (2005).
   Google Scholar
• Kim HM, Cho SY, Park SU et al. Can acupuncture affect the circadian rhythm of blood pressure? A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. J. Altern. Complement. Med. 18, 918–923 (2012).
   Google Scholar
• Güçel F, Bahar B, Demirtas C, Mit S, Çevik C. Influence of acupuncture on leptin, ghrelin, insulin and cholecystokinin in obese women: a randomized, sham-controlled preliminary trial. Acupunct. Med. 30, 203–207 (2012).
   Google Scholar
• Wang Q, Li WH, Zhou QH. Weight reduction effects of acupuncture for obese women with or without perimenopausal syndrome: A pilot observational study. Am. J. Chin. Med. 40, 1157–1166 (2012).
   Google Scholar
• Patel C, Carruthers M. Coronary risk factor reduction through biofeedback-aided relaxation and meditation. J. R. Coll. Gen. Pract. 27, 401–405 (1977).
   Google Scholar
• Cooper MJ, Aygen MM. A relaxation technique in the management of hypercholesterolemia. J. Hum. Stress 5, 24–27 (1979).
   Google Scholar
• Schneider RH, Nidich SI, Salerno JW et al. Lower lipid peroxide levels in practitioners of the transcendental meditation program. Psychosom. Med. 60, 38–41 (1998).
   Google Scholar
• Xu YJ, Aziz OA, Bhugra P et al. Potential role of lysophosphatidic acid in hypertension and atherosclerosis. Can. J. Cardiol. 19, 1525–1536 (2003).
   Google Scholar
• Seo DY, Lee SR, Figueroa A et al. Yoga training improves metabolic parameters in obese boys. Korean J. Pharmacol. 16, 175–180 (2012).
   Google Scholar
• Bijlani RL, Vempati RP, Yadav RK et al. A brief but comprehensive lifestyle education program based on yoga reduces risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus. J. Altern. Complement. Med. 11, 267–274 (2005). Demonstrates that a lifestyle change over a short period of time involving yoga leads to a favorable shift in blood lipid profile in patients with hypertension, coronary artery disease and diabetes.
   Google Scholar
• Schmidt T, Wijga A, Von Zur Muhlen A et al. Changes in cardiovascular risk factors and hormones during a comprehensive residential three month kriya yoga training and vegetarian nutrition. Acta Physiol. Scand. Suppl. 640, 158–162 (1997).
   Google Scholar
• Hedge SV, Pinto VJ, Adhikari P et al. Effect of 3-month yoga on oxidative stress in Type 2 diabetes with or without complications. Diabetes Care 34, 2208–2210 (2011).
   Google Scholar
• Patel C, Marmot MG, Terry DJ et al. Trial of relaxation in reducing coronary risk four year follow up. Br. Med. J. (Clin. Res. Ed.) 13, 1103–1106 (1985).
   Google Scholar
• Lee MS, Lee MS, Kim HJ, Choi ES. Effects of qigong on blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and other lipid levels in essential hypertension patients. Int. J. Neurosci. 114, 777–786 (2004).
   Google Scholar
• Cheung BM, Lo JL, Fong DY et al. Randomised controlled trial of qigong in the treatment of mild essential hypertension. J. Hum. Hypertension 19, 697–704 (2005).
   Google Scholar
• Wang CX, Xu DH. Influence of qigong therapy upon serum HDL-C in hypertensive patients. Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi 9, 543–546 (1989).
   Google Scholar
• Liu X, Miller YD, Burton NW, Brown WJ. A preliminary study of the effects of Tai Chi and qigong medical exercise on indicators of metabolic syndrome, glycaemic control, health related quality of life, and psychological health in adults with elevated blood glucose. Br. J. Sport Med. 44, 704–709 (2010). Demonstrates that a lifestyle change over a short period of time involving yoga leads to a favorable shift in blood lipid profile in patients with hypertension, coronary artery disease, and diabetes.
   Google Scholar
• Thompson Coon JS, Ernst E. Herbs for serum cholesterol reduction. J. Fam. Pract. 52, 468–478 (2003). Succinct review providing information on the clinical evidence for some selected herbs in lowering blood cholesterol levels.
   Google Scholar
• Wazaify M, Afifi FU, El-Khateeb M, Ajlouni K. Complementary and alternative medicine use among Jordanian patients with diabetes. Complement. Ther. Clin. Pract. 17, 71–75 (2011).
   Google Scholar
• Yeh GY, Kaptchuk TJ, Eisenberg DM, Phillips RS. Systematic review of herbs and dietary supplements for glycemic control in diabetes. Diabetes Care 26, 1277–1294 (2003).
   Google Scholar
• Metcalf A, Williams J, McChesney J, Patten SB, Jetté N. Use of complementary and alternative medicine by those with a chronic disease and the general population-results of a national population based survey. BMC Complement. Altern. Med. 10, 58 (2010).
   Google Scholar
• Hawk C, Ndetan H, Evans MW Jr. Potential role of complementary and alternative health care providers in chronic disease prevention and health promotion: an analysis of National Health Interview Survey data. Prevent. Med. 54, 18–22 (2012).
   Google Scholar
• Xu YJ, Tappia P, Neki NS, Dhalla NS. Prevention of diabetes-induced cardiovascular complications upon treatment with antioxidants. Heart Fail. Rev. doi:10.1007/ s10741-013-9379-6 (2013) (Epub ahead of print).
   Google Scholar
• Villa-Caballero L, Morello CM, Chynoweth ME et al. Ethnic differences in complementary and alternative medicine use among patients with diabetes. Complement. Ther. Med. 18, 241–248 (2010).
   Google Scholar