Anti-hyperlipidemic and antioxidant ability of HeShouWu (roots of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb.) and its complex formula

Abstract

Many studies have confirmed the effectiveness of herbal medicines or complex formulations in clinical therapy for metabolic diseases. This study investigated the effects of a HeShouWu decoction and its complex formula on blood lipids and antioxidant activity in hamsters with a high-cholesterol intake-induced hyperlipidemia model. The biological efficacy of HeShouWu and its complex formula were assessed by measuring body weight (BW), and fecal metabolites, conducting a blood biochemical analysis, and examining liver sections. Triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC) contents, and antioxidant activities in the liver and kidneys were measured. The results showed no inhibited growth after 10 weeks of treatment. However, significant decreases in blood and liver lipids (TC and TG) were detected in all treatment groups (p < 0.05). Moreover, the antioxidant activities [glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and total thiols] improved, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content decreased significantly, which significantly reduced intracellular oxidative stress (OS). However, no significantly improved treatment effect was detected on fat accumulation in the liver sections. The added cholesterol intake in this study was continued daily by diet and stimulation, suggesting that patients should strictly consume a low-cholesterol diet in clinical therapy to minimize the load on the liver. This study demonstrated that the HeShouWu complex reduced blood and liver TC and TG levels satisfactorily. Improvements in the clinical use of the HeShouWu complex are expected to uncover safer, more effective, and economical Chinese herbal formulations for reducing blood lipids.

Keywords

• HeShouWu (roots of Polygonum multiflorum)
• Blood lipids
• Triglycerides
• Total cholesterol
• Low-cholesterol diet
• Chinese herbal formulations