To Compare the Effects of Terminalia Arjuna with Rosuvastatin on Total Cholesterol and Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol

Background:In India, CVD is a leading cause of death. Among the modifiable risk factors, hyperlipidemia is one of the important factors. Therefore lowering cholesterol level is a key factor in controlling this disease.Objectives: To compare the effect of Terminalia arjuna, an indigenous drug with Rosuvastatin on serum total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, in patients of either sex with dyslipidemia.Material and Methods: An open prospective randomized controlled study was conducted in on 60 patients for the duration of 12 weeks. Patients were distributed into two groups of 30 patients each. Group I was given Rosuvastatin 10 mg daily and group II was given capsules containing bark powder of T.arjuna 500 mg twice daily. Patients TC and LDL-C levels were performed at baseline and then repeated at 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks. The results of both the therapies were then compared and statistically analyzed.Results: T.arjuna leads to greater reduction in mean TC level than Rosuvastatin (-14.06±8.07% vs -10.10±5.39%), (- 24.73±10.69% vs -19.42±9.98%) and (-27.89±9.25% vs - 24.74±10.02%) at 4, 8 and 12 weeks respectively. The difference between both the groups was statistically non-significant (p>0.05) at 4, 8 and 12 weeks. The reduction in mean LDL-C level was also greater with T.arjuna as compared to Rosuvastatin.Conclusion: Both Rosuvastatin and T.arjuna were effective in causing significant decrease in serum TC and LDLC levels, but T.arjuna had a slight edge over Rosuvastatin as it showed greater reduction in TC and LDL-C levels as compare to Rosuvastatin. And was found to be safe and well tolerated.