Changes of Plasma and Hepatic Lipids, Hydroxy-Methyl-Glutaryl CoA Reductase Activity and Acyl-CoA : Cholesterol Acyltransferase Activity by Supplementation of Hot Water Extracts from Rosa rugosa, Crataegus pinnatifida and Polygonum cuspidatum in High-Cholesterol Fed Rats

Lipid lowering properties from three plant water extracts, Rosa rugosa, Crataegus pinnatifida and Polygonum cuspidatum, were tested by supplementing a 1% high-cholesterol diet with them in rats. Plasma triglyceride levels in Rosa fugosa, Crataegus pinnatifida and Polygonum cuspidatum groups were significantly lower compared to that of the control. by 29% , 24% and 47% respectively. hepatic trigylceride levels in Rosa rugosa and Crataegus pinnatifida groups were significantly lower compared to the control by 11% and 15% respectively. Hepatic HMG-CoA reductase activity in Rosa rugosa group was significantly greater compared to the control by 406%. Hepatic ACAT activity was significantly lower in Polygonum cuspidatum group compared to the control by 28%. by multiple regression results, only plasma cholesterol was associated significantly (p<0.05) with liver HMG-CoA reductase activity. Plasma cholesterol explained 12% of thevariance of the liver HMG-CoA redctase activity. In conclusion, we have showen that hot water extracts from Rosa rugosa, Crataegus pinnatifida and Polygonum cuspidatum lowered plasma triglycerides in rats fed on a high-cholesterol diet. Data suggests that these extracts could potentially prevent or treat hypertriglyceridemia induced by a high fat diet and fatty liver.