(i) Lowering serum TC and LDL-C levels (ii) Increasing HDL-C level (iii) No significant difference in TG level as compared with diabetic atherosclerosis model group [49, 154]
Downregulating the mRNA expression of MCP-1, ICAM-1, and CD36 [49, 154]
(i) Promoting blood circulation (ii) Removing blood stasis [200]
(i) A significant dose-dependent decrease in free and esterified TC in the human monocyte derived macrophages in vitro [147] (ii) Lowering TC and LDL-C levels mildly in patients suffering from coronary artery disease compared with placebo [56] (iii) Lowering TC and LDL levels in postmenopausal women with hypercholesterolemia [52]
Dose-related suppression of acetylated LDL uptake by human macrophages [53]
Erxian decoction
Curculiginis Rhizoma, Epimedii Folium, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Morindae Officinalis Radix, Anemarrhenae Rhizoma, and Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex (no fixed ratio) [60]
(i) Warming “kidney” Yang (ii) Nourishing “kidney” Yin (iii) Clearing ministerial fire (iv) Harmonizing thoroughfare and conception vessels (v) Balancing Yin-Yang [60]
(i) Suppressing serum TC and LDL-C levels (ii) No significant effect on HDL-C and TG levels in a menopausal rat model [54]
(i) Downregulating HMG-CoA (ii) Upregulating the LDL receptor [54]
(i) Warming Yang for resolving fluid retention (ii) Strengthening the “spleen” to resolve dampness [63]
(i) Reducing TG and TC levels in HFD induced rat models of NAFLD [57] (ii) Lowering ghrelin level in HFD rat groups fasting intermittently supplemented with LGZD [63]
(i) Increasing serum thyroid hormone levels [57] (ii) Improving -oxidation via modulation of TR1 and CPT1A expression in liver [57] (iii) Enhancing metabolism and transport of FA through modulation of SREBP-1c, ACSL and ApoB100 expression [57]
Shengmai Yin
Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Ophiopogonis Radix, and Schisandra Chinensis Fructus (2 : 1 : 2) [58]
(i) Replenishing both and Yin energies (ii) Generating body fluids (iii) Restoring the pulses [17]
(i) No significant effect on lipids of Wistar rats fed with HCD (ii) Lowering hepatic cholesterol and TG contents (iii) No effect on fecal cholesterol excretion but higher fecal bile acid content [59]
(i) Stimulating the biosynthesis of bile acid using cholesterol as the precursor (ii) Increasing hepatic cholesterol catabolism [59]
Turtle jelly
Testudinis Plastrum, plus various Chinese medicinal herbs such as Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma, Millettiae Speciosae Radix, Mesonae Chinensis Herba, and Lonicerae Japonicae Flos [173]
(i) Clearing heat (ii) Removing toxin (iii) Promoting urination [51]
(i) Lowering serum TC and LDL levels (ii) Increasing HDL level diet-induced hypercholesterolemic SD rats [50]
(i) Blocking the downregulation of LDLR and PEPCK mRNA and protein expressions (ii) Suppressing the upregulation of PPARα mRNA and protein expressions in the liver [173]
(i) Promoting blood circulation to remove blood stasis (ii) Moving to relieve pain [17]
(i) Lowering serum TC and LDL-C levels (ii) Increasing HDL-C level (iii) No significant difference in TG level in HFD fed SD rats as compared with the model group [62] (iv) Lowering TG level and TC/HDL-C ratio in HCD fed Wistar rats [182]
(i) Reversing energy and lipid metabolism disturbance (ii) Decreasing the accumulation acetyl-glycoproteins (iii) Enhancing glutathione biosynthesis [62] (iv) Inhibiting proinflammatory interleukin 8 production [182]