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Systems biology modelling based evaluation of omega-3 formulation in managing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Natural therapies for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease management often use nutraceuticals and herbal supplements to improve lipid profiles. This in-silico study examined the effects of Omega-3 fatty acids, specifically Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), on lipid metabolism using systems biology-based models. The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of EPA (1 g) and DHA (1 g) were analysed to understand their lipid-lowering mechanisms. The study also assessed the impact of omega-3 fatty acid-based formulation, (EPA 180 mg and DHA 120 mg), on lipid biomarkers in a simulated disease population. Over six months, the model predicted a 14.7% reduction in triglycerides, 1.7% reduction in total cholesterol, 3.7% increase in LDL, and a 22.38% increase in HDL. Non-traditional markers improved markedly, with triglyceride-to-HDL ratio reduced by 31%, total cholesterol-to-HDL by 21%, and LDL-to-HDL by 16%. A population-level subgroup analysis showed that individuals with high baseline lipid ratios (triglyceride-to-HDL > 8, total cholesterol-to-HDL > 12, LDL-to-HDL > 8) could achieve > 35% reductions within six months. These in-silico findings highlight subgroups with better predicted efficacy, guiding inclusion-exclusion criteria for future trials. Further, the study highlights the therapeutic potential of EPA and DHA in improving lipid profiles and managing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

Source: Scientific Reports

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-23677-6