Study comparing the hypolipidemic effects of Terminalia Arjuna with Rosuvastatin on triglyceride and high density lipoprotein- cholesterol levels

Introduction: Due to substantial increase of coronary heart disease, a need for identifying and correcting the conventional risk factors like hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking and hyperlipidemia has been emerged, as controlling them not only prevents the formation of atheromatous plaque but also slows down its progression and even promotes regression. AIM: Comparing the effects of Terminalia arjuna with Rosuvastatin on triglycerides and high density lipoprotein cholesterol in dyslipidemic patients of either sex. Materials and Methods: A 12 weeks open prospective randomized controlled study, enrolling 60 patients of dyslipidemia was conducted. Patients were distributed in two groups of 30 each. Group A was given Rosuvastatin (10mg) once daily and group B was given Terminalia arjuna (500mg) twice daily. Triglyceride and HDL-C levels were done at baseline and after 4, 8 and 12 weeks of starting the treatment and data was statistically analyzed. Results: Greater reduction in mean Triglyceride level was demonstrared with Terminali arjuna as compared to Rosuvastatin (-35.23±37.59 vs -13.30±6.64), (-51.66±48.67 vs -25.23±11.29) and (-60.63±49.93 vs-35.16±14.76) at 4, 8 and 12 weeks respectively and the difference between both the groups was statistically significant (p2.37±2.20vs 1.97±1.40) at 4 weeks but was slightly less (3.43±2.88 vs 3.53±2.31) and (4.37±2.76 vs 4.77±2.40) at 8 and 12 weeks. On comparing difference was found to be statistically non-significant. Conclusion: Rosuvastatin and Terminalia arjuna both are effective hypolipidemic agents causing significant decrease in triglyceride and increase in high density lipoprotein cholesterol. Terminalia arjuna had showed greater reduction triglyceride and was found to be safe. Keywords: Rosuvastatin, Terminalia arjuna, High density lipoprotein cholesterol, Triglyceride.