COMPOSITION FOR PREVENTION AND THERAPEUTIC TREATMENT OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS AND HYPERLIPIDEMIA CONTAINING HEMATEIN

摘要

PURPOSE: A pharmaceutical composition containing hematein which is obtainable by extraction of Heartwood of Caesalpinia sappan or commercially as an active ingredient is provided. Because the hematein exhibits LDL-antioxidant activity, remarkably reduces cholesterol in blood and strongly inhibits liver microsome ACAT activity, the composition can be effectively used in prevention and therapeutic treatment of atherosclerosis and hyperlipidemia. CONSTITUTION: The composition for preventing and treating atherosclerosis and hyperlipidemia in mammals contains an effective amount of hematein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier as an active component. The hematein inhibits the activity of acyl-CoA : cholesterol acyltransferase or acts as LDL-antioxidant to give an effect on preventing and treating hyperlipidemia.