The beneficial effects of Houttuynia cordata extract on vascular health in high cholesterol diet-induced atherosclerosis hamster model. (A) Experimental design of animal study. (B,C) Plaques increase in aortas derived from the HCD-fed hamsters while both aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Houttuynia cordata treatment significantly decrease the atherosclerosis plaques area in HCD-fed hamsters. (D) Total plasma cholesterol levels are significantly decreased in ethanolic extracts of Houttuynia cordata-treated HCD-fed hamsters. Data represent mean ± SEM of 7–9 hamsters and analyzed by one-way ANOVA with post hoc Tukey’s analysis. NCD, normal cholesterol diet; HCD, high cholesterol diet; HCAE, Houttuynia cordata aqueous extract; HCEE, Houttuynia cordata ethanolic extract; L-HCAE, high cholesterol diet containing 1% Houttuynia cordata aqueous extract; H-HCAE, high cholesterol diet containing 5% Houttuynia cordata aqueous extract; L-HCEE, high cholesterol diet containing 1% Houttuynia cordata ethanolic extract; H-HCEE, high cholesterol diet containing 5% Houttuynia cordata ethanolic extract.