• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.370-374
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• 2005

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of Gastrodiae rhizoma fractions on serum lipid profiles and atherogenic index (AI) in male S.D. rats fed a high fat diet supplemented with 10 : 2 : 1% (w/w) of lard, corn oil, and cholesterol during the entire 12-week experimental period. Forty-eight rats were randomly divided into four groups; A (low molecule), B (polysaccharide), C (protein) fractions of Gastrodiae rhizoma, respectively, and D (high fat diet as control). Body weight gain, diet intake and feed efficiency ratio did not differ significantly among the groups during the experimental period, but final body weight was on the average 44 g higher in control compared with the three groups of Gastrodiae rhizoma $(A{\sim}C)$. TC and TG levels of group B when compared with control were each decreased by an average of 21.5% and 39.6%, respectively. HDL-cholesterol level was markedly higher in group C than group A and B of Gastrodiae rhizoma. LDL-cholesterol levels of Gastrodiae rhizoma groups $(A{\sim}C)$ were significantly lower than control. AI was significantly lower in group C at 1.45 than the other two Gastrodiae rhizoma at $1.94{\sim}2.05$ and control of 2.12. From the findings, it is feasible for water soluble and high molecular weight components of Gastrodiae rhizoma like polysacchride and protein fractions to be considered as functional components for improving hyperlipidemia.