Hypolipidemic effect of the polysaccharide from Pholiota nameko

Abstract Objective This study was conducted to investigate the hypolipidemic effect of the polysaccharide isolated from Pholiota nameko (PNPS-1). Methods Hyperlipidemic Wistar rats were treated with PNPS-1 (20, 40, and 60 mg/kg orally). Results Treatment of hyperlipidemic Wistar rats with PNPS-1 led not only to significant decreases in very low-density lipoprotein/low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (−48.98% and −21.54%, 40 and 60 mg/kg), triacylglycerol (−19.70%, −17.17%, −32.32%), phospholipids (−9.90%, −19.80%, −27.08%), and consequently the atherogenic index (23.61%, 70.42%, 82.85%) and a increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (69.01% and 73.35%, 40 and 60 mg/kg) in serum, but also to significant decreases in total lipids (−10.24% and −33.16%, 40 and 60 mg/kg), total cholesterol (−24.22%, −34.26%, −55.02%), triacylglycerol (−22.53% and −38.50%, 40 and 60 mg/kg), and phospholipids (−27.41%, 60 mg/kg) in the liver. Further, PNPS-1 significantly suppressed lipid peroxidation by decreasing malondialdehyde and increasing antioxidant enzymes in serum (malondialdehyde, 9.94%, −22.22%, −32.75%; superoxide dismutase, 37.26%, 101%, 114%; catalase, 32.2%, 30.02%, 36.74%; glutathione peroxidase, 31.30%, 35.56%, 52.34%) of the 20-, 40-, and 60-mg/kg PNPS-1 groups and in the liver (malondialdehyde, −32.26%, −47.85%; catalase, 97%, 117%; glutathione peroxidase, 70.70%, 78.03%) in the 40- and 60-mg/kg PNPS-1 groups (superoxide dismutase, 24.35%, 67.49%, 234%). PNPS-1 was also effective in lowering body weight and some visceral weights (liver, heart, and kidney) in treated rats, except for the lung. PNPS-1 also ameliorated the pathologic changes in coronary arteries of hyperlipidemic rats. Conclusion These results suggested that PNPS-1 significantly suppresses the development of hyperlipidemia and might be used as a potential therapeutic agent for hyperlipidemia.