Protective role of coenzyme Q10, riboflavin, niacin, selenium (CoRNS) and Emblica officinalis on cardiac abnormalities in experimental atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is characterized by the deposition of lipids in the artery wall and the infiltration of inflammatory cells, such as monocytes and lymphocytes. Hyperlipidemia is a major risk factor for the premature development of atherosclerosis and it has been shown to increase the incidence of myocardial ischemia and cardiac events. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the hypolipidemic and cardioprotective effect of CoQ₁₀, riboflavin, niacin, selenium (CoRNS), and Emblica officinalis (Amla) in male wistar albino rats fed with high cholesterol diet (HCD) comprising of the normal chow supplemented with 4% cholesterol, 1% cholic acid for 30 days to develop atherosclerosis. After 30 days, Group IV animals were treated with Simvastatin as standard drug and Group V animals were treated with CoRNS and Amla. All the drugs were given by oral gavage for 30 days. Group III animals were served as drug control. Atherosclerosis was confirmed by disturbances in plasma and cardiac marker enzymes such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), increased levels of plasma lipoproteins like VLDL, LDL and decrease in HDL and increased levels of plasma lipids like triglycerides (TG), phospholipids (PL), free fatty acids (FFA) and cholesterol (CHO). There was significant increase in lipid peroxidation (LPO) and decreased activity of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, CAT and GPx and also diminished levels of vitamin C, vitamin E and GSH. Treatment with CoRNS and Amla maintained the levels of marker enzymes, lipoproteins, lipids and also the antioxidants to near normal thereby proving its hypolipidemic and cardioprotective properties.