Researchers tested whether safflower, a natural plant, could lower high cholesterol as well as atorvastatin, a common prescription medication. They gave rats with artificially high cholesterol either safflower extract, atorvastatin, or nothing for four weeks. Both treatments improved cholesterol levels and protected the heart and liver from damage. However, the prescription medication worked slightly better than the safflower extract. This early-stage research suggests natural alternatives might help, but the proven medication remains more effective.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Can safflower plant extract lower cholesterol and protect the heart as well as atorvastatin, a common cholesterol-lowering drug?
  • Who participated: 24 male rats divided into 4 groups: one group ate normal food, one group ate high-cholesterol food with no treatment, one group ate high-cholesterol food plus safflower extract, and one group ate high-cholesterol food plus atorvastatin medication.
  • Key finding: Both safflower and atorvastatin significantly reduced cholesterol levels and protected heart and liver tissue. Atorvastatin performed slightly better overall, reducing cholesterol by a greater amount than safflower extract.
  • What it means for you: This animal study suggests safflower may have some cholesterol-lowering benefits, but it’s not yet proven safe or effective in humans. If you have high cholesterol, continue taking prescribed medications rather than switching to safflower without talking to your doctor first.

The Research Details

Scientists created high cholesterol in rats by feeding them a diet high in fat and cholesterol. They then divided 24 rats into four groups: one group ate normal healthy food (control group), one group ate the high-cholesterol diet without any treatment, one group ate the high-cholesterol diet plus safflower plant extract, and one group ate the high-cholesterol diet plus atorvastatin medication. The study lasted four weeks, and researchers measured cholesterol levels and examined heart and liver tissue damage at the end.

This type of study is called a controlled animal experiment. It allows researchers to test treatments in a controlled setting before testing them in humans. The researchers measured many different blood markers including total cholesterol, triglycerides (another type of fat), and protective cholesterol (HDL). They also looked at damage to the liver and heart tissues under a microscope.

Animal studies like this help scientists understand how treatments might work before testing them in people. By using rats with artificially high cholesterol, researchers can control all the variables and see exactly what effect each treatment has. This type of research is an important first step in developing new treatments.

This study was published in a reputable scientific journal (Frontiers in Pharmacology), which means it was reviewed by experts. However, this is an animal study, so results may not apply directly to humans. The study was relatively short (four weeks) and used a small number of animals (24 total). More research in humans would be needed to confirm these findings are safe and effective for people.

What the Results Show

Rats that ate the high-cholesterol diet without treatment developed very high cholesterol levels (273.3 mg/dL) and high triglycerides (223.0 mg/dL), which are unhealthy fats in the blood. Their hearts and livers showed significant damage under the microscope. Both the safflower extract and atorvastatin treatment groups showed major improvements in these measurements, bringing cholesterol and triglyceride levels much closer to normal.

The atorvastatin group showed slightly better results than the safflower group. Atorvastatin reduced cholesterol levels more effectively and restored more of the protective cholesterol (HDL) that helps keep arteries clean. Both treatments also reduced markers of tissue damage and inflammation in the blood.

Microscope examination of heart and liver tissue showed that both treatments prevented much of the damage caused by high cholesterol. The tissues in treated groups looked much healthier than the untreated high-cholesterol group, though not quite as perfect as the normal diet group.

The study measured several other important markers. Both treatments improved antioxidant enzymes (natural protective substances in the body) that were depleted by high cholesterol. Vitamin D levels, which were low in the high-cholesterol group, improved with both treatments. Markers of heart and liver damage (troponin and creatine kinase) were reduced by both treatments, suggesting protection of these vital organs.

Previous research has shown that atorvastatin effectively lowers cholesterol in both animals and humans. This study confirms that finding and adds that safflower extract also has cholesterol-lowering properties. However, safflower is less studied in humans than atorvastatin. Some earlier research suggested safflower might have health benefits, but this is one of the first direct comparisons between safflower and a standard medication.

This study only tested animals, not humans, so we cannot be certain the results apply to people. The study lasted only four weeks, which is relatively short. The researchers artificially created high cholesterol in the rats, which may not exactly match how high cholesterol develops naturally in humans. The study used only male rats, so results might differ in females. Finally, the safflower dose used (200 mg/kg) was much higher than what a person might typically consume, so it’s unclear what dose would be effective in humans.

The Bottom Line

This research is preliminary and animal-based only. Do not stop taking prescribed cholesterol medications based on this study. If you’re interested in safflower as a complementary approach, discuss it with your doctor first. Current evidence strongly supports using prescribed cholesterol medications like atorvastatin as recommended by your healthcare provider. (Confidence level: High for continuing current medications; Low for safflower as a replacement)

People with high cholesterol or heart disease risk should care about this research because it explores potential new treatments. However, this study is too early-stage to change current medical practice. Researchers studying natural remedies should pay attention to these results. People interested in plant-based health approaches may find this interesting, but should not use it to justify avoiding prescribed medications.

In this animal study, improvements appeared within four weeks. If safflower were eventually proven effective in humans, it would likely take weeks to months to see cholesterol improvements, similar to prescription medications. However, much more research is needed before safflower could be recommended as a treatment.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your cholesterol levels (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides) every 3-6 months as recommended by your doctor. Log the date, values, and any dietary or medication changes to identify patterns.
  • If interested in heart health, use the app to track daily habits that naturally support healthy cholesterol: servings of vegetables, whole grains, exercise minutes, and medication adherence. Set reminders to take prescribed cholesterol medications consistently.
  • Create a long-term chart showing cholesterol trends over months and years. Compare your results to your doctor’s target ranges. Track lifestyle factors (diet quality, exercise, stress) alongside cholesterol numbers to identify what helps your personal cholesterol management.

This research was conducted in animals only and has not been tested in humans. Do not use this information to replace prescribed cholesterol medications or medical advice from your doctor. While safflower shows promise in animal studies, it is not proven safe or effective for treating high cholesterol in people. Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement or making changes to your cholesterol treatment plan. This article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice.