Effects of Chinese herbal drug, dai-saiko-to on plasma lipids, lipoproteins and liver lipid contents in guinea pig

Effects of Chinese herbal drug, Dai-saiko-to, on plasma lipids, lipoproteins and liver lipid contents were investigated in guinea pig with/without cholesterol feeding. Guinea pigs were divided into 4 groups (Group 1: normal chow (N) diet, Group 2: N + 1% Dai-saiko-to (D) diet, Group 3: 1% cholesterol (C) diet, Group 4: 1% C+ 1% D diet), and were treated for 5 weeks. Significant body weight reductions were observed in Groups 3 and 4 compared to Groups 1 and 2. Significant reductions of plasma triglyceride (TG) and very low and low density lipoproteins [(V) LDL]-TG were found in Group 3 compared to Groups 1, 2, and 4. (HDL)-TG significantly decreased in Groups 3 and 4 compared to Groups 1 and 2, but no significant difference was noted between Groups 1 and 2, and Groups 3 and 4. Liver lipid contents analysis showed no significant changes between Groups 1 and 2, and Groups 3 and 4, respectively, but the distribution of lipid droplets as pathologically determined using a computer program showed Group 4 had less lipid deposition compared to Group 3. These data suggest that Dai-saiko-to acts on triglyceride metabolism in hypercholesterolemic guinea pigs.