Summary of Research Findings

Cardiovascular Research (continued)
8. Title
Anti-Oxidant and Antiplatelet Properties of Maharishi Amrit Kalash [MAK-4] in Hypercholesterolemic Rabbits
Publication
Ninth International Symposium on Atherosclerosis, Rosemont, IL, October 6-11, 1991, p. 188 (Abstract).
Authors
Rao V. Panganamala, Ph.D. and Hari M. Sharma, M.D., FRCP(C).
Conducted at
The Ohio State University, College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
Summary
Platelet aggregation and oxidized lipids are considered important mediators of vascular injury leading to atherosclerosis.
M-4, an herbal food supplement (MAPI Inc., Lancaster, MA) has been shown to be effective in
preventing generation of reactive oxygen species in-vitro (IJCP 1:23-27, 1991). The experiments were carried
out to evaluate the effectiveness of M-4 in preventing platelet aggregation and oxidation of lipids in hypercholesterolemic
rabbits. Two groups of six rabbits (pair matched) were given a 1% cholesterol diet. The experimental
group in addition was given 0.4% M-4 in the diet. At the end of the experiment (7 weeks), total cholesterol,
plasma and hepatic TBARS, and platelet aggregation induced by ADP & collagen were compared between the
two groups. The results are:
Control
Experimental
Total cholesterol (mg/dl) 1511 1003
Plasma TBARS (nmoles/ml) 5.38 ± 0.5 1.9 ± 0.3
Hepatic TBARS (nmoles/g tissue) 148 ± 16 83 ± 11
Platelet Aggregation
% Transmittance
Collagen (ug/ml) ADP (x 10 -3 )
4.4 2.2 4.4 2.2
Control (n = 5) 48.6 30.0 34.0 21.0
Experimental (n = 4) 26.0 3.0 10.0 3.75
Results show that M-4 supplementation reduces plasma and hepatic lipid peroxidation, as well as platelet aggregation
induced by collagen and ADP, in hypercholesterolemic rabbits.
Study 8 Research Highlights
Hypercholesterolemic rabbits supplemented with M-4 for 7 weeks showed a reduction in plasma and hepatic
lipid peroxidation, as well as platelet aggregation induced by collagen and ADP.
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