Use of psyllium husk with new pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic considerations

Objective: to see effects of psyllium husk on specific lipid parameters like total cholesterol,ldl-cholesterol and triglycerides,which are important risk factors for development of chd. design: it was single blind placebo-controlled study conducted at department of pharmacology,bmsi,jpmc-karachi from march 2011 to june 2011. results: consumption of 10 grams psyllium husk/day lowered serum total cholesterol from 220.83±1.3 to 201.14±2.1,ldl-cholesterol from 180.77±1.1 to 130.11±1.0 and triglycerides from 233.22±5.8 to 188.13±3.1 mg/dl in three months. changes in all these parameters are highly significant when analyzed biostatistically. effects by placebo in all lipid parameters were non-significant (p>0.05). conclusions: psyllium significantly lowered triglycerides,serum total and ldl-cholesterol concentrations in subjects consuming a low-fat diet. psyllium is well tolerated and safe when used adjunctive to a low-fat diet in individuals with mild-to-moderate hypercholesterolemia.