Identification of Effective Medicinal Plants for Hyperlipidemia: An Ethnobotanical Study in Lorestan Province, West of Iran

Abstract

In  the  recent  decades,  hyperlipidemia  has  considerably  increased  with  the  development  of machine life. It has been accompanied by diseases such as hypothyroidism, liver and kidney diseases, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, as well as obesity and can cause complications such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, increased risk of stroke, and fatty liver disease. Lorestan province in the west of Iran has an ancient history in traditional medicine and abundance of medicinal plants. So, this study aimed to identify effective medicinal plants for hyperlipidemia in this province and report its effects on the treatment of hyperlipidemia and the related diseases. This study was conducted during 2008-2010 by 11 trained health volunteers with the cooperation of Food and Drug Chancellor, Razi Herbal Medicine Research Center, and Health and Treatment Networks of Khorramabad, Dorud, Poldokhtar, Boroujerd, Aleshtar, Aligoodarz, Kouhdasht, and Noorabad. Questionnaire method was used, and a specific questionnaire was designed to gather information on traditional herbal therapy, which has been used to reduce hyperlipidemia in this province. The results of the questionnaire analysis indicated that in lorestan province, nine species of medicinal plants from eight plant families were used for treating hyperlipidemia. Leaves were mostly used plant part (42%) and predominantly used herbal preparations were raw plants (46%). Summer with 38% of frequency was the most reported season for collecting medicinal plants effective for hyperlipidemia in this province. Cichorium intybus was the most frequently used medicinal plant (73.33%). Novel scientific studies support the ethnomedicinal use of some of the mentioned plants in the lorestan province of Iran for the treatment of hyperlipidemia. However, further clinical investigations are needed to confirm their efficacy and safety.