Antihyperlipidaemic effects of oxyresveratrol-containing Ramulus mori ethanol extract in rats fed a high-cholesterol diet

• The ethanol extract of Ramulus mori (ERMO) had an antihyperlipidaemic effect.
• ERMO lowers serum lipids by increasing the expression of LCAT, CYP7A1 and LDLR.
• ERMO lowers serum lipids by decreasing HMGCR and ACAT2.
• ERMO improves the histological features of hepatic fatty degeneration.
• ERMO has the potential to be a functional food component without hepatotoxicity.

The antihyperlipidaemic effect of an ethanol extract of Ramulus mori containing a high concentration of oxyresveratrol (ERMO) was investigated in a high-cholesterol diet (HCD)-fed rat model. Cholesterol metabolism-related genes and proteins, such as lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT), low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1), 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) and acyl coenzyme A cholesterol acyltransferase-2 (ACAT2) were analysed by quantitative real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. ERMO-treated HCD-fed rats had decreased body and liver weights and reduced serum lipid levels, atherogenic index (AI) and coronary artery risk index (CRI). ERMO treatment lowered serum cholesterol levels by increasing the expression of LCAT, CYP7A1 and LDLR and by decreasing HMGCR and ACAT2. Histological analysis of liver and aortic tissues revealed a significant decrease in lipid droplets and foam cell formation in HCD-induced hyperlipidaemic rats treated with ERMO. ERMO is therefore a potentially potent functional food for preventing hyperlipidaemia.