Abstract
The effects of the roots of Polygonum cuspidatum SIEB. et ZUCC. ("Kojo-kon" or "Itadori-kon" in Japanese) and its stilbene components (resveratrol and piceid) on lipid metabolism in rats and mice (higher animals) were investigated. Resveratrol and piceid inhibited the deposition of triglyceride and cholesterol in the liver of rats fed corn oil-cholesterol-cholic acid mixture. Piceid reduced the serum triglyceride and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-ch) levels, and atherogenic index [total cholesterolhigh density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-ch)/HDL-ch] in the oil mixture-fed rats. It was found that intraperitoneal or oral administration of resveratrol or piceid reduced triglyceride synthesis from 14C-palmitate in the liver of mice. In contrast, these stilbene components did not affect hormone-induced lipolysis in fat cells from rat eqididymal adipose tissue.
