Abstract:The effects of total flavonoids from Rhizoma Smilacis glabrae (RSG) and its main ingredient–astilbin–on the lipid metabolism and antioxidation level in mice were investigated. Eighty ICR mice were randomly assigned to eight groups. Group I was a control group fed with a normal diet, and group II was a control group fed with a high-fat diet. T otal flavonoids and astilbin from RSG at concentrations of 1, 2, and 4 mg/mL were added to the drinking water for the other six groups, respectively. After eight weeks, the mice were dissected, the intraperitoneal adipose tissue (IPAT) and liver were collected and weighed, and the serum triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol, high-density cholesterol, and glucose levels were determined. The results showed that compared with the high-fat control group, RSG flavonoids had no effect on the food and water intake in mice, but could significantly reduce body weight gain and IPAT weight, as well as the TG content in serum. The mechanism study indicated that RSG flavonoids significantly improved the activities of carnitine acyltransferase and fatty acid beta-oxidase in mouse liver, but had no effect on the activity of fatty acid synthase, indicating that RSG flavonoids may reduce fat accumulation by promoting fat decomposition. RSG flavonoids could significantly enhance the activity of antioxidant enzymes and decrease the level of malondialdehyde (MDA), indicating that RSG flavonoids have in vivo antioxidant activity.
