Effects of Extracts of Houttuynia cordata Thunb on the Level of Lipids and Lipid Peroxidation in the Liver and Serum of Cholesterol-fed Rats
The feeding effects of Herba hottuynia extracts on the lipids profiles and the content of TAB-reactive substances were evaluated in rats fed a high cholesterol diet. Hot water or ethanol extracts of the dried leave were evaporated and lyophilized . The experimental animals wer edevided to four groups and fed the following diets for 4 weeks : BAsal (cholesterol-free diet), CHOL(cholesterol-enriched diet),CW (cholesterol plus water extract) and CE(cholesterol plus ethanol extract). Dietary cholesterol increased significantly the activities of serum GOT and GPT, but the extracts feeding (0.5% of diet) did not influence the activities induced by dietary cholesterol. Although dietary cholesterol increased significantly the concentrationof serum andliver cholesterol, it tended to decrease the concentation of serum triglycerides. CHolesterol feeding had a lowering effect on the lipid peroxidation value of serum, but not inliver.Furthermore, the extracts feeding, especially water extract, decreased markedly the liver peroxidation value. The results suggest that Houttyunia cordata extracts have an in vivo antioxidant effect, judged from the TBA value in the liver rats fed a high cholesterol diet.