Effect of Erythrina variegata on experimental atherosclerosis in guinea pigs

Leaves of Erythrina variegata (Indian coral tree) (family: Fabaceae) eaten as a pot herb, are used as an antiobesity drug in Siddha medicine.[1] It has folkloric reputation as antiinflammatory in India, China and South East Asia, and different parts of the plant are reported with insecticidal, hemagglutinating, curaric, skeletal muscle relaxant, feeding deterrent, antispasmodic, antimycobacterial and antiosteoporotic activities.[2] In this study, the infl uence of the total alcohol extract of E. variegata (Ev) on experimental atherosclerosis in guinea pigs has been evaluated (IAEC approved, Ref: IAEC/SRMC and RI/41/2005). The extract was well tolerated, with no signs of toxicity up to 2 g/kg b.wt. in the acute toxicity study.