Question

how does lovastatin lower or inhibit cholesterol?

Answer 1

Lovastatin is a cholesterol lowering drug coming under the category of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor. It inhibits 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoA reducatse). HMG-CoA reductase is an enzyme involved in the catalytic conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate. Mevalonate is actually the basic component required for the biosynthesis of cholesterol. Lovastatin will bind with HMG-CoA reversibly and thus is a competitive inhibitor involved in the biosynthesis of cholesterol. Thus lovastatin can lower cholesterol level.