• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.86-97
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• 2009

Objectives : This study was aimed to investigate the effects of GamiSamgieum (SGMX) on hyperlipidemia using an animal model. Additionally, the underlying mechanisms were investigated by determination of gene expressions related with lipid metabolism. Methods : Forty mice were selected for use in this experiment, and then divided into five groups; Naive, Induced, SGMX 100, SGMX 200, and Lovastatin group as positive control with 8 mice each, and their blood was collected for analysis of blood and serum parameters. Results : Administration of SGMX significantly inhibited the increase of liver weight and the macrovacuolar cytoplasmic alterations in histopathologic finding. SGMX administration significantly protected the liver from pathologic elevation of AST and ALT and from lipid peroxidation. SGMX administration significantly lowered total cholesterol levels and TG, and partially upregulated the gene expression of LCAT, CYP7A1 and LDL-R receptor. Conclusion : SGMX is suggested to possess hypolipidemic effect, and thus could be a potential candidate for herbal hypolipidemic via further studies.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.103-111
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• 2009

Objectives: To investigate the possibility of GamiSamgieum (SGMX) as a combination therapy with statins on hyperlipidemia using an animal model. Methods: Forty eight ICR mice (male) were divided into six groups of eight mice each: naive, induced, Lipitor 5 mg/kg, Lipitor 5 mg/kg plus SGMX 100 mg/kg, Lipitor 10 mg/kg, and Lipitor 10 mg/kg plus SGMX mg/kg treatment group. Hyperlipidemia was induced by feeding a purified high fat diet for all groups (except naive) along with treatment of drugs for 6 weeks, and then biological parameters were examined on the last experiential day. Results: Lipitor treatment lowered total cholesterol and increased HDL-cholesterol compared to the induced group with no statistical significance. However, co-treatment of SGMX with Lipitor revealed synergic effects on total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol significantly (P < 0.05) in both. SGMX co-treatment also significantly protected liver tissues from the oxidative stress in liver tissues (P < 0.05) and augmented inhibitory effect of Lipitor against fat accumulation in the body. Conclusion: These results indicate the possibility of that SGMX can be used for patients having hyperlipidemia as a combination therapy with statin drugs.