ABSTRACT
Object To observe the effect of 20S-protopanaxadiol saponins from Panax quinquefolium (PPDS) on total cholesterol, lipoprotein cholesterol metabolism and antioxidative activity in experimental hyperlipidemia rats. Methods The total cholesterol (TC), lipoprotein cholesterol, and lipid peroxidation (LPO) contents, prostaglandin I 2 (PGI 2), thromboxane A 2 (TXA 2) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and blood viscosity were measured in hyperlipidemia rats which have been given PPDS 25, 50, 100 mg/(kg?d) by ip, continuously for 12 days. In addition, fat accumulation in liver was observed. Results Triglyceride (TG), TC, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) in serum, TXA 2 in plasma, LPO in serum and liver, and blood viscosity were decreased significantly; and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) in serum, PGI 2 in plasma, and SOD in serum and liver were significantly increased by given PPDS [50, 100 mg/(kg?d)] in experimental hyperlipidemia rats. Moreover, PPDS can decrease TC/HDL-c and LDL-c/HDL-c ratio, increase PGI 2/TXA 2 ratio, and inhibit fat accumulation in liver. Conclusion PPDS could inhibit arteriosclerosis by improving cholesterol and lipoprotein-cholesterol metabolism, suppressing LPO, and increasing the activity of SOD.