EFFECTS OF DU-ZHONG LEAF EXTRACT ON PLASMA AND HEPATIC LIPIDS IN RATS FED ON A HIGH-FAT PLUS HIGH CHOLESTEROL DIET

Male Wistar rats were fed on a 1% cholesterol plus 12% lard containing-diet for 2 weeks (HC group). Accumulation of cholesterol and triacylglycerol was observed in their livers. The level of cholesterol in plasma of BC group was increased to 1.6 times that in the normal (Nor) group, while the level of triacylglycerol was lower than that in the Nor group. Plasma lipoproteins in the HC group were characterized by an increase in very low density lipoprotein (VLDL)-plus low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol level and a decrease in high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol level. Subsequently, the diet of the HC group was switched to a normal diet, and this group was divided into two groups of HCN and HCND. HCND group was orally administered Du-Zhong leaf extract, and HCN group was given tap water ad libitum. After feeding for two more weeks, the levels of plasma and hepatic cholesterol in the HCND group significantly decreased, and the level of hepatic triacylglycerol in this group was also lower than that in HCN group. The ratio of HDL -cholesterol to total cholesterol became greater by the administration of Du-Zhong leaf extract. On the other hand, the level of VLDL-+LDL-cholesterol in HCND group was significantly lower than that in HCN group. While no difference of acetyl-CoA carboxylase activity in liver was observed among HCN, HCND, acid Nor groups, the activity of fatty acid synthetase in HCND group was lower than that in the HCN group and was nearly equal to that in the Nor group. These results suggest that Du-Zhong leaf extract may have recuperative effects for hypercholesterolemia and fatty liver.