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Lipid-lowering effects of polydatin from Polygonum cuspidatum
in hyperlipidemic hamsters
Jian Du
a
, Lian-Na Sun
a
, Wei-Wei Xing
a,b
, Bao-Kang Huang
a
, Min Jia
a
,
Jin-Zhong Wu
c
, Hong Zhang
a,
, Lu-Ping Qin
a,
a
Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, No. 325 Guohe Road,
Shanghai 200433, PR China
b
Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University,
Shenyang 110016, PR China
c
Academy of Integrative Medicine, Fujian College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, PR China
Abstract
Hyperlipidaemias are common in obese people, and they increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as
coronary heart disease (CHD) and atherosclerosis (AS). Previous studies have shown that several drugs can depress
serum cholesterol. However, they could cause serious side effects in various clinical settings. The objective of the
present study was to evaluate the lipid-lowering effects of polydatin in high-fat/cholesterol (HFC)-fed hamsters. The
levels of lipids in hamsters were measured enzymatically before and after the administration of polydatin. Signicant
differences between HFC and HFC+polydatin were detected for those concentrations. Decreased levels of serum TC,
TG and LDL-C and the concentrations of hepatic TG were found. Experimental results also showed that polydatin
elevated LDL-C/HDL-C and TC/HDL-C ratios. In concert with other effects, serum cholesterol-lowering effect in
hamsters may contribute to the regulation properties attributed to polydatin.
r 2008 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Polydatin; Polygonum cuspidatum; Lipid lowering; Hyperlipidaemias; Hamster
Introduction
The prevalence of obesity is increasing throughout the
world. The concern with it is an increased risk for a
variety of chronic diseases, including coronary heart
disease (CHD) and atherosclerosis (AS). The results of
current investigations strongly suggest that most of the
relationship between body weight and CHD risk is
mediated through high total cholesterol (TC), and low
high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (Ohlsen,
2004). Obese people often consume excessive calories,
which turned into triglycerides, leading to high serum
triglyceride (TG). Elevated levels of plasma TG and
low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) have de-
monstrated that the fatty acids and cholesterol in the
diet are primary determinants of diet-induced hyperch-
olesterolemia (Hegated et al., 1965). Changes in eating
habits and exercise are some of the most powerful
strategies for improving serum lipid proles; however,
compliance is a serious impediment.
The search for new drugs capable of reducing and/or
regulating serum cholesterol and triglycerides levels has
gained momentum over the years, resulting in numerous
reports on signicant activities of natural agents. Many
ARTICLE IN PRESS
www.elsevier.de/phymed
0944-7113/$ - see front matter r 2008 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2008.10.001