Extractum Fagopyri reduces atherosclerosis in high-fat diet fed rabbits.

A group of 30 male mongrel rabbits was divided into 3 subgroups: controls, animals receiving a high-fat diet (HFD) containing cholesterol and coconut oil, HFD + Extr. Fagopyri (EF) were treated for 12 weeks. Surface areas of lipid deposites after 12 weeks of treatment measured planimetrically in the intima of the aorta, averaged 86.5% in HFD-fed animals, but 68.6% in EF treated rabbits. The positive effect of EF was confirmed histopathologically. The finding of this study is that the EF administration results in the reduction of atherosclerotic plaque formation.