Abstract
Objectives : Samhwangsasim-tang (SHSST) is a traditional Korean medication, which has been used in Korea for treatment of hypertension and chest pain. Hyperlipidemia and inflammation could influence hypertension and chest pain. This study investigated whether and how SHSST reduces the hyperlipidemia and inflammation related to high-cholesterol diet-induced obesity in rats. Methods : Mice were divided randomly into four groups: the normal diet group, high-cholesterol diet group, low dose treatment group supplemented with 30% ethanol extract of SHSST (L) and high dose treatment group supplemented with 80% ethanol extract of SHSST (H). L and H groups were orally administered with SHSST at the dose of 50mg/kg a day respectively and others were administered with the same volume of physiological saline. Results : Administration of SHSST resulted in a decrease in serum levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein. Expression of hepatic genes(SREBP2, LXR, LDLR, and HMG-CoA) related with cholesterol metabolism was also suppressed. In addition, SHSST decreased the expression of inflammation-related gene (TNF-<TEX>${\alpha}$</TEX>, IL-6, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, TGF-<TEX>${\beta}1$</TEX> and fibronectin). Histological examinations also showed that the size of the adipocytes was smaller in the SHSST treated group than in the high-colesterol diet group. In an in vitro study, SHSST inhibited the production of nitric oxide in a concentration-dependent manner. Conclusions : This study indicates that SHSST has anti-hyperlipidemia and anti-inflammatory effects. It may also suggest that SHSST may be alternative therapy for treatment of hyperlipidemia and its complications.
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