ArticleActa pharmacologica Sinica2015
Isoflavones and phytosterols contained in Xuezhikang capsules modulate cholesterol homeostasis in high-fat diet mice.
Article in Acta pharmacologica Sinica, 2015. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 10 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
10 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 26 citations in OpenAlex.
- Traditional Chinese medicines in the management of cardiovascular diseases: a comprehensive systematic review.British journal of clinical pharmacology · 2017Pooled it
- Aqueous extract of Duyun Maojian tea ameliorates the ileal microbiota and associated hepatic metabolome in HFD-induced obese mice.RSC advances · 2026Article
- Approaches to Authenticating Products Containing Red Yeast Rice Extract (Monacolin K).Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Review
- A systematic, updated review of Xuezhikang, a domestically developed lipid-lowering drug, in the application of cardiovascular diseases.Acta pharmaceutica Sinica. B · 2024Review
- Supplementation with Natto and Red Yeast Rice Alters Gene Expressions in Cholesterol Metabolism Pathways in ApoENutrients · 2023Article
- Neuroprotection by Nrf2 via modulating microglial phenotype and phagocytosis after intracerebral hemorrhage.Heliyon · 2023Article
- Comparing the effectiveness of Chinese patent medicines containing red yeast rice on hyperlipidaemia: A network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Endocrinology, diabetes & metabolism · 2022Article
- Polyphenol Effects on Cholesterol Metabolism via Bile Acid Biosynthesis, CYP7A1: A Review.Nutrients · 2019Review
- Isoflavones enhance pharmacokinetic exposure of active lovastatin acid via the upregulation of carboxylesterase in high-fat diet mice after oral administration of Xuezhikang capsules.Acta pharmacologica Sinica · 2018Article
- Transcriptional control of enterohepatic lipid regulatory targets in response to early cholesterol and phytosterol exposure in apoEBMC research notes · 2017Article
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Authors and funding
10 authors at 1 institution in 2 countries.
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No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
aimXuezhikang (XZK), an extract of red yeast rice, has been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat cardiovascular disease. Three fractions F1, F2 and F3 (primarily containing isoflavones, monacolins or phytosterols, respectively) are extracted from Xuezhikang capsules. In this study we evaluated the lipid-lowering effects of these fractions and explored the potential mechanisms of actions.
methodsMice treated with a high-fat diet (HFD) were orally administered lovastatin (10 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1)), XZK (1200 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1)), F1 (27.5 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1)), F2 (11.3 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1)) or F3 (35 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1)) for 10 weeks. Lipids were measured using commercial enzymatic kits, and the mRNA and protein levels of genes involved in cholesterol and bile acid homeostasis were evaluated using qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis, respectively.
resultsXZK increased the fecal excretion of lipids and bile acids, reduced serum TC, TG and LDL-C levels by 40%, 55% and 46%, respectively, and increased serum HDL-C by 31%. Administration of F1 repressed serum TC and TG by 24% and 52%, respectively, and elevated hepatic synthesis of CYP7A1. It also increased hepatic elimination of bile acids in the fecal excretions by 79% through upregulating BSEP and downregulating NTCP. Administration of F3 decreased serum TC, TG and LDL-C levels by 33%, 29% and 39%, respectively, and increased serum HDL-C by 28%, significantly reduced intestinal absorption of cholesterol by inhibiting the transcription of NPC1L1, and elevated excretion of TC, FC and CE by 96%, 72% and 101%, respectively. Administration of F2 showed pharmacological effects similar to those of lovastatin.
conclusionIsoflavones and phytosterols in XZK exert cholesterol-lowering effects in HFD mice through mechanisms that differ from those of lovastatin. Isoflavones and phytosterols act in a complimentary manner: through enhancing the elimination of bile acids and reducing intestinal cholesterol absorption, respectively.
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