Schisandrin B from Schisandra chinensis reduces hepatic lipid contents in hypercholesterolaemic mice

The effects of schisandrin B (Sch B) on liver and serum lipid contents were investigated in mice with experimentally‐induced hypercholesterolaemia. Hypercholesterolaemia was induced either by oral administration of a cholesterol/bile salts mixture (2/0.5 g kg−1) for four days or by feeding a high fat/cholesterol/bile salts (10/1/0.3%, w/w) diet for seven days. Daily co‐administration of Sch B (50–200 mg kg−1, i.g.) for four or six days, respectively, decreased hepatic total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) levels (by up to 50% and 52%, respectively) in hypercholesterolaemic mice. Sch B treatment also increased hepatic indices (14–84%) in hypercholesterolaemic mice. The results indicated that Sch B treatment could decrease hepatic TC and TG levels, and increase liver weight, in mouse models of hypercholesterolaemia. Fenofibrate treatment (100 mg kg−1) produced effects similar to those of Sch B on the hepatic index and lipid levels of hypercholesterolaemic mice.