The Effects of Cirsium japonicum on Lipid Profile in Ovariectomized Rats

Cirsium japonicum water extracts has been used to treat vascular related diseases. We have previously reported that Cirsium japonicum extracts activated estrogen receptors. It is widely known that estrogen increases the high density lipoprotein cholesterol and decrease the low density lipoprotein cholesterol on the lipid profile. But effects of Cirsium japonicum on lipid profile are not reported yet. Therefore, we have studied the effects of Cirsium japonicum on the lipid content in ovariectomized rats. Thirty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats of 210 +/- 20 g were studied for 10 weeks. The rats were divided into five groups; (I) sham, no ovariectomized rats plus olive oil, (II) ovariectomized rats plus olive oil, (III) ovariectomized rats plus 0.5 mg/kg 17 beta-estradiol (E2) in olive oil, (IV) ovariectomizecl rats plus 0.5 mg/kg Cirsium japonicum in olive oil, and (V) ovariectomized rats plus 5 mg/kg Cirsium japonicum in olive oil. Treatment with Cirsium japonicum or E2 induced significant reduction in total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol/total cholesterol, total cholesterol/high density lipoprotein cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol/high density lipoprotein cholesterol compared to control group as well as increase in uterine weight. However, changes in triglycerides levels were different. Our results suggest that Cirsium japonicum is functionally similar to E2 in vivo as well as in vitro.