Ethanolic Extract of Vitis thunbergii Exhibits Lipid Lowering Properties via Modulation of the AMPK-ACC Pathway in Hypercholesterolemic Rabbits. (28th March 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pan, Chun-Hsu; Tsai, Chia-Hua; Lin, Wen-Hsin; Chen, Guo-Yan; Wu, Chieh-Hsi
• Other Names: Lee Myeong Soo Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine. Volume 2012(2012)
• Publication Date: 2012-03-28
• Subjects: Alternative medicine -- Periodicals; 615.505
• DOI: 10.1155/2012/436786
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1741-427X

Abstract

Abstract : Vitis thunbergii (VT) is a wild grape that has been shown to provide various cardioprotective effects. The present study was designed to examine whether a VT extract could reduce serum lipid levels and prevent atherogenesis in a hypercholesterolemic rabbit model. At the end of an 8-week study, our results showed that a VT extract supplement markedly suppressed the serum levels of cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein, reduced lipid accumulation in liver tissues, and limited aortic fatty streaks. Our findings suggest that the VT extract activated AMPK (5 ′ -adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase) with subsequent inhibition of the activation of ACC (acetyl-CoA carboxylase). Our results suggest that this VT extract could be further developed as a potential lipid-lowering agent and as a natural health food to prevent atherogenesis.