Effect of Ephedrae Herba methanol extract on high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidaemic mice

<b>Context:</b> Ephedrae Herba (EH), the dried stems and leaves of <i>Ephedra sinica</i> Stapf., <i>E. intermedia</i> Schrenk et C. A. Mey., or <i>E. equisetina</i> Bge. (Ephedraceae [Ephedra]) is used to treat respiratory diseases. Recently, especially in the Republic of Korea, EH has also been used for weight reduction. <b>Objective:</b> We evaluated the effects and molecular targets of methanol EH extract (EHM) on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hyperlipidemic ICR mice. <b>Materials and methods:</b> EHM was orally administered (100 mg/kg body weight/day) for 3 weeks. We observed changes in body weight (BW), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein–cholesterol, and triglycerides to evaluate the physiological changes induced by HFD or EHM administration. To evaluate lipid peroxidation and liver toxicity, malondialdehyde and blood alanine aminotransferase levels were measured. In addition to analyzing liver gene expression profiles, EHM target proteins were identified using a protein interaction database. <b>Results:</b> EHM administration for 3 weeks significantly (<i>p</i> <b>Discussion and conclusions:</b> EHM regulated hyperlipidaemia by decreasing total blood lipid and triglyceride levels in hyperlipidaemic mice. EHM showed preventive effects against hyperlipidaemia in mice, possibly via the regulation of DNA repair and the expression of energy metabolism-related genes and proteins.