title: Protective effects of Houttuynia cordata aqueous extract in mice consuming a high saturated fat diet.
abstract: The protective effects of Houttuynia cordata aqueous extract (HCAE) in mice consuming a high saturated fat diet (HFD) were examined. HCAE, at 0.5, 1, or 2%, was supplied in drinking water for 8 weeks. HCAE was rich in phenolic acids and flavonoids. HCAE intake at 1 and 2% decreased body weight, epididymal fat, insulin resistance, triglyceride and total cholesterol contents in plasma and liver from HFD-treated mice (p < 0.05). HFD enhanced hepatic activity of malic enzyme, fatty acid synthase (FAS) and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase; and augmented the hepatic level of saturated fatty acids (p < 0.05). HCAE intake at 2% reduced malic enzyme and FAS activities, and lowered saturated fatty acids content in liver (p < 0.05). HCAE suppressed HFD induced oxidative and inflammatory stress in the heart and liver via reducing the malondialdehyde level, retaining glutathione content and glutathione peroxidase activity, decreasing tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta and IL-6 production (p < 0.05). These results support that Houttuynia cordata is a potent food against HFD induced obesity, and oxidative and inflammatory injury.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung City, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ming-cheng
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Pei-chun
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Mei-chin
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Yin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism; D059305:Diet, High-Fat / Q000009:adverse effects; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D052859:Houttuynia / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D005227:Fatty Acids; D010936:Plant Extracts; D020011:Protective Agents; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol