Studies On The Antihyperlipidemia Activities Of Ephedra Polysaccharide

Objective:Ephedra as a commonly Chinese medicine with complex chemical composition. Components have been reported as alkaloids, flavonoids, yellow alkanes, tannins, volatile oils, organic acids, amino acids, polysaccharides and some phenols. At present, the studies of ephedra has been mostly focused on the components of alkaloids and volatile oils, instead of finding the research on pharmacology of ephedra polysaccharide. Unfortunately, the adverse reactions about chemical composition of alkaloids in ephedra has been reported frequently at domestic and overseas. There are more and more reports that using ephedran increases the risks of heart disease and stroke, which would bring about great challenge to develop and utilize ephedra rich in China. We study the components of non-alkaloids and non-volatile oils in ephedra. To study the anti-hyperlipemia effect of ephedra polysaccharide on experimental hyperlipemia mice, we use biochemistry method so as to provide some guildlines in the clinical application of ephedra.Methods:1 We use various means of extracting, separating, purifying to get polysaccharide in ephedra.2 Mice were randomly divided into 4 groups:control group, model group, positive group, polysaccharide group. Intragastric administration was given continuously for 4 weeks, the body weight were recorded weekly. The content of TC, TG, HDL-C and activities of ALT, AST, SOD and MDA in serum, the organ coefficient were measured by semi-automatic biochemical analyzer. 3 To observe the liver injuries in each group on Pathology.Results:1 Replication experimental hyperlipidemia modelMice of control group were fed with basic diet, the remaining were fed with high fat diet. The obviously increasing TC and TG in serum in the group of model, positive, polysaccharide indicated that the successful replication of experimental hyperlipidemia model.2 The effects of polysaccharide on hyperlipidemia miceCompared with the model group, the polysaccharide markedly decreased the TC and TG, increased the HDL-C in serum (P<0.05 or P<0.01), decreased the activities of ALT and AST in serum (P<0.05 or P<0.01), decreased the organ coefficients of the liver, spleen and kidney in a certain degree (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The livers in polysaccharide group showed the slightest injury.3 The effects on SOD and MDACompared with the control and model groups, polysaccharide significantly decreased the MDA in serum (P<0.05).Conclusion:1 The successful replication experimental hyperlipidemia mice models.2 Polysaccharide could improve dyslipidemia on experimental hyperlipidemia mice models and with the lowest liver-toxicity.3 Polysaccharide can significantly remove free radicals in hyperlipidemia mice serum.