Pectin pentasaccharide from hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida Bunge. Var. major) ameliorates disorders of cholesterol metabolism in high-fat diet fed mice

- The serum and hepatic TC levels were significantly decreased by HPPS.
- HPPS significantly increased the fecal bile acid level.
- HPPS inhibited the expression of cholesterol biosynthesis related genes.
- HPPS upregulated the gene expression and enzyme activity of CYPT7A1.

The effects of haw pectin pentasaccharide (HPPS) on hypercholesterolemia were investigated in high-fat fed mice. HPPS significantly decreased the levels of serum total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), and hepatic TC. It also significantly decreased the activities and gene expressions of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR) and acyl-coenzyme A: cholesterol acyl-transferase (ACAT) in the liver. While, the serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), fecal bile acids, and the activity and gene expressions of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) were significantly increased by HPPS administration. Moreover, HPPS tended to increase the fecal TC level and to down-regulate the expressions of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 (SREBP-2) and LDL receptor in the liver, but no statistical significance was detected. The results revealed that HPPS have great potential in the development of functional food to improve cholesterol metabolism.