Ligaria cuneifolia (R. et P.) Tiegh. –Loranthaceae– (Lc), commonly used in traditional medicine, is believed to reduce total plasma cholesterol (TC) and improve blood flow.

 
Objective: To evaluate the effect of ingesting Lc infusions on plasma cholesterol, Whole Blood Viscosity (WBV), Hepatic Function (HF), and Renal Function (RF) in patients with cholesterol levels >200 mg/dL.

 
Methods: Twelve patients were studied. Baseline venous Blood samples (B) were collected for initial measurements. Each participant received freeze-dried Lc extract to be ingested as an infusion three times per week. After 31 days, post-treatment blood samples (TLc) were obtained. Plasma determinations included: TC, High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C), Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C), urea, and creatinine using enzymatic methods (mg/dL); Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), and Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) using kinetic methods (U/L); and WBV using a rotational viscometer. Relative Blood Viscosity (RBV) was calculated.

 
Statistical analysis
Wilcoxon test for paired data. Results (median and 95% CI): TC: B: 230 (205-278); TLc: 229.6 (200-251) ns; HDL-C: B: 59 (42-84); TLc: 63.5 (35-76) ns; LDL-C: B: 185.5 (140-239); TLc: 169.5 (135-215) *; RBV: B: 2.99 (2.5-3.38); TLc: 3.05 (2.20-3.79) ns; AST: B: 21.5 (15-30); TLc: 20.5 (15-32) ns; ALT: B: 21 (6-31);TLc: 17.5 (7-27) *; ALP: B: 77 (55-100); TLc: 77 (70-100) ns; urea: B: 31.5 (22-52); TLc: 33 (22-49) ns; creatinine: B: 0.89 (0.711.22); TLc: 0.83 (0.580.13) ns. (*p < 0.05 vs B; ns = n significant vs B). Conclusion: The treatment significantly reduced LDL-C levels without altering TC, HDL-C, RBV, RF, AST, or ALP. ALT, a biochemical marker of hepatic steatosis, was also significantly reduced. Given the association between LDL-C and atherosclerosis, these findings suggest Lc could be a viable option for cardiovascular disease prevention.