Anti-hypercholesterolaemia, antioxidant activity and free radical scavenger effects of traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions used for stroke

The generation of oxygen radicals and lipid peroxidation may be factors in the cerebral damage secondary to ischaemia of the cerebrovascular disease, as in stroke. Five traditional Chinese medicinal prescriptions were investi gated for their antioxidant activity: Shiee Fuu Jwu Iu Tang (TCMP1), Oh Yaw Shuen Chin Saan (TCMP2), Buu Yang Hwan Wuu Tang (TCMP3), Sheau Shiuh Ming Tang (TCMP4), and Chir Hwu Jia Long Guu Muu Lih Tang (TCMP5). Anti-lipid peroxidation, anti-superoxide formation and free radical scaveng er activity were determined by the FeCl2-ascorbic acid-induced lipid peroxi dation effects on lipids in-vitro, xanthine oxidase inhibition, cytochrome C system and an electron spin resonance spectrometer, respectively. The res ults showed that TCMP5 had greater anti-lipid peroxidation and anti-superox ide formation activity than the other prescriptions. TCMP4 had the greatest free radical scavenging effect, TCMP5 showed the greatest superoxide radic al scavenger activity and TCMP3 showed the greatest hydroxyl radical scaven ger activity. Tests were also performed to evaluate the effects of the five prescriptions on blood lipid in-vivo. The test showed that the prescriptio ns decreased the level of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol in serum in high cholesterol-fed rats. From these results, it seems probable that these prescriptions may be effec tive in the prevention and therapy of stroke and ischaemia.