Preventive effect of vinpocetine on calcifications: atherosclerosis in experimental rabbits.

The action of vinpocetine (14-ethoxycarbonyl-(3 alpha, 16 alpha-ethyl)-14, 15 eburnamine) on calcifications in liver, kidney, and CNS tissues from cholesterol-induced atherosclerosis in 16 experimental rabbits was studied. Three of 4 groups (4 rabbits each group) feeding on a cholesterol-rich diet developed atherosclerosis after 3 months. Two of the 4 groups were also fed vinpocetine supplements and analysis by neutron activation method showed a decrease in calcium content in CNS tissues and in liver and kidney. Results suggest that vinpocetine acts to decalcify cholesterol-induced atherosclerotic lesions in these tissues.