Effects of Ligustrum delavayanum Hariot. on cholesterol levels and arrhythmogenesis induced by myocardial ischaemia–reperfusion injury in diabetic-hypercholesterolaemic rats

The present study was conducted to determine the effects of Ligustrum delavayanum Hariot. (Oleaceae) on cholesterol levels and the outcome of myocardial reperfusion injury in diabetic-hypercholesterolaemic rats. Per orally daily administration of a Ligustrum infusion (1000 mg/kg, calculated on the dry plant material) to the rats with induced diabetes and hypercholesterolaemia significantly reduced the liver total cholesterol content. Similarly, increased severity of reperfusion arrhythmias in the double-diseased rats was diminished upon Ligustrum-treatment. These results suggest a potential use of Ligustrum in the prevention/therapy of risk factors and coronary heart disease itself.