Objectives: We investigated the lipid-lowering activity of 7-O-galloyl-D-sedoheptulose, an active component of Corni Fructus, and related mechanisms.
Methods: Rats were fed a high-fructose diet for 6 days, followed by treatment with 7-O-galloyl-D-sedoheptulose, 5, 10 or 20 mg/kg per day, or fenofibrate (positive control).
Key findings: The high-fructose diet induced an increase in body weight, hypertriglyceridaemia, hyperglycaemia and hypertension. Administration of 7-O-galloyl-D-sedoheptulose significantly reduced the levels of triglyceride in the serum and liver (being more effective than fenofibrate) but did not lead to changes in liver weight or hepatic function, whereas fenofibrate increased the liver weight markedly. The preventive effect of 7-O-galloyl-D-sedoheptulose against the accumulation of triglyceride and cholesterol was related to the up-regulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha expression.
Conclusions: The present study supports the role of 7-O-galloyl-D-sedoheptulose as a promising agent against hypertriglyceridaemia without hepatic side-effects.