Medicinal Values of Selected Mushrooms with Special Reference to Anti-Hypercholesterolemia

Hypercholesterolemia is a known major risk factor in the development of athereosclerosis [29, 32, 51]. This circumstance is caused by internal homeostasis due to foods consumed. The hypercholesterolemia may be related to high cholesterol diet or regular saturated fatty acids intake [42]. The incidence of Chronic Heart Disease (CHD) remains high despite blood pressure being controlled in hypertensive patients. Thus, in hypercholesterolemia pa‐ tient’s LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) concentration increases, and the lipoprotein is more aged and more susceptible to oxidative modifications than LDL from healthy subjects [50]. These patients have been diagnosed with disability of LDL excreation and very low LDL receptor activity. The most potent inhibitors of cellular cholesterol synthesis are inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methyglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase and consequently elevated the cellular LDL receptors synthesis, resulting in significant reduction of plasma LDL levels. [66].