Anti-hyperlipidemic effect of flavone-rich Belamcanda chinensis (L.) DC. (Iridaceae) leaf extract in ICR mice fed high-fat diet

Purpose: To assess the anti-hyperlidemic effect of flavone-rich B. chinensis leaf extract (HTP) in ICR mice fed a high-fat diet.Methods: HTP (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) were orally administered to ICR mice fed high-fat diet for 7 weeks. Blood glucose, as well as serum and hepatic levels of lipids were determined at the end of the experiment. Phosphorylation of adenosine 5′-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and protein level of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) were analyzed by Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit, respectively.Results: Treatment with HTP significantly decreased peri-epididymal fat weight (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05 for 200 and 100 mg/kg, respectively), lowered serum and hepatic lipid, and decreased glucose area under curve (AUC) in oral glucose tolerance test (p < 0.01 for 200 mg/kg). Western blot and ELISA analysis showed that administration of HTP (200 mg/kg) significantly increased AMPK (p < 0.05) phosphorylation and PPARα expression in liver (p < 0.05).Conclusion: HTP can alleviate hyperlipidemia, at least in part, by up-regulation of AMPK and PPARα.Keywords: Belamcanda chinensis, Flavone, Hyperlipidemia, Adenosine 5′-monophosphate-activated protein kinase, Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-alpha, Glucose toleranc