Angiology, Vol 36, Number 8, August 1985
International College of Angiology, November 5, 1984.
Five thousand patients of atheromatous heart disease, presented as angina pectoris, were studied over a period of five years. After adding the “Husk of Isabgol” and “Aloe vera” (an indigenous plant known as ghee-guar-ka-paththa) to the diet, a marked reduction in total serum cholesterol, serum triglycerides, fasting and post parandial blood sugar level in diabetic patients, total lipids and also increase in HDL were noted. Simultaneously the clinical profile of these patients showed reduction in the frequency of anginal attacks and gradually, the drugs, like verapamil, nifedipine, beta-blockers and nitrates, were tapered. The patients, most benefitted, were diabetics (without adding any antidiabetic drug). The exact mechanism of the action of the above two substances is not known, but it appears, that probably they act by their high fibre contents. Both these substances need further evaluation. The most interesting aspect of the study was that no untoward side effect was noted and all the five thousand patients are surviving till date.
Incidence of atheromatous heart disease is increasing day by day. The factors commonlyresponsible for atherosclerotic heart disease are diabetes mellitus, hypertension, smoking, family tendency in the form of hyperlipidemias, gout, excessive intake of saturated fatty acids, obesity, lack of exercise, etc.
For the first time, an Indian plant known as Aloe vera belonging to the Liliacee family along with the Husk of Isabgol, was tried on five thousand patients who had proved ischaemic heart disease due to atherosclerosis and the above two herbal medicines proved to be very effective when mixed with wheat flour paste before preparing the bread. This plant; Aloe vera, is used in Indian medicine as a tonic, purgative, aphrodisiac, antihelminthic, in various opthalmological disorders, enlargement of spleen, various forms of hepatitis, vomiting, fever due to bronchitis, erysipelas, skin disorders, asthma, leprosy, jaundice, strangury, as a carminative, various musculoskeletal disorders, menstrual suppression and various other nonspecific disorders.
Patients | Group | Patients | Patients | History Of Diabetics | Hypertensives | |||
Patients | ||||||||
Patients | ||||||||
Patients | Ischaemia | Ischaemia | |
| Male Diabetics | |||
| 35-41 | |||
| 41-50 | |||
| 51-65 | |||
| Male Non-Diabetics | |||
| Female Diabetics | |||
| 35-40 | |||
| 41-50 | |||
| 51-65 | |||
| Female Non-Diabetics | |||
Fasting Blood Sugar (Normal 60-110 Mgm%)
Group | Patients | Mgm% | Mgm% | |
Post Parendial Blood Sugar (Normal 100-160 Mgm%)
Group | Patients | Mgm% | Mgm% | |
Total Serum Cholesterol (Normal 125-285 Mgm%)
Group | Patients | Mgm% | Mgm% | Mgm% | |
| Males | |||||
| Diabetics | |||||
| Non-Diabetic Males | |||||
| Females | |||||
| Diabetics | |||||
| Non-Diabetic Females | |||||
Serum Triglycerides (Normal Level 40-150 Mgm%)
Patients | ||||
| Male Diabetics | ||||
| 35-40 | ||||
| 41-50 | ||||
| 51-65 | ||||
| Male Non-Diabetics | ||||
| Female Diabetics | ||||
| 35-40 | ||||
| 41-50 | ||||
| 51-65 | ||||
| Female Non-Diabetics | ||||
Total Lipids (Normal Value 450-850 Mgm%)
Patients | ||||
| Male Diabetics | ||||
| 35-40 | ||||
| 41-50 | ||||
| 51-65 | ||||
| Male Non-Diabetics | ||||
| Female Diabetics | ||||
| 35-40 | ||||
| 41-50 | ||||
| 51-65 | ||||
| Female Non-Diabetics | ||||
HDL Cholesterol (Normal Level 25 Mgm% to 75 Mgm%)
Patients | ||||
| Male Diabetics | ||||
| 35-40 | ||||
| 41-50 | ||||
| 51-65 | ||||
| Male Non-Diabetics | ||||
| Female Diabetics | ||||
| 35-40 | ||||
| 41-50 | ||||
| 51-65 | ||||
| Female Non-Diabetics | ||||
The plant has never been tried in the prevention of atherosclerotic heart disease. The other substance, Husk of Isabgol, in Indian medicine is mainly used to increase the bulk of faeces in constipation. This study is mainly based on its antiatherosclerotic properties.
Five thousand patients were selected for the study ranging from 35-65 years of age. (Table I) All patients had clear cut evidence of ischaemic heart disease in the form of unequivocal ECG changes apart from effort angina. (Table II) All patients were subjected to serum chemistry and were screened for fasting blood sugar, post parandial blood sugar (Table III), total serum cholesterol (Table IV), serum triglycerides (Table V), total lipids (Table VI), HDL cholesterol (Table VII), BUN & other investigations were normal.
Out of 5000 patients, 3167 were diabetics; 2572 patients had a history of smoking 10 to 15 cigarettes per day, for about five years; 2151 patients had evidence of hypertension which was not renal in origin. Out of these 2151 hypertensives, 1360 had mild hypertension and 791 patients had moderate hypertension. The patients, who had unstable angina, past history of myocardial infarction, severe hypertension, severe diabetics & patients on insulin therapy, history of left ventricular failure, gout, were not included in the study. Out of 1065 male non-diabetics, 912 had family history of hyperlipidemia and out of 768 female non-diabetic patients, 454 patients were having family history of hyperlipidemia. All 5000 patients were instructed not to consume alcohol in any form during the study. Smoking was also not allowed during study period.
All 5000 patients were instructed to take 100 gms of fresh flesh gelatin of the plant Aloe vera and 20 gms of Husk of Isabgol mixed with wheat flour to prepare the bread. These breads were consumed at lunch and dinner. Apart from this, the strict dietary schedule and the drugs, which these patients were already taking, in the form of beta blockers, verapamil, nifedipine, isosorbide dinitrate, sulphonylureas, digoxin and diuretics and B-complex, were asked to continue and report weekly. All these patients were assessed clinically and biochemically.