Modulatory effects of ZYM-201 sodium succinate on dietary-induced hyperlipidemic conditions.

Sanguisorba officinalis, a well known and valuable medicinal plant in Korea, China and Japan has been used traditionally for the treatment of inflammatory and metabolic diseases such as diarrhea, chronic intestinal infections, duodenal ulcers, and bleeding. We studied the anti-hyperlipidemic effects of a chemically modified triterpenoid glycoside (ZYM-201 sodium succinate) isolated from Sanguisorba officinalis in rats in which hyperlipidemia had been induced by dietary administration of cholesterol and cholic acid. Oral administration of ZYM-201 sodium succinate (1 to 10 mg/kg) dose-dependently attenuated the diet-induced increases in body and liver weights. At 10 mg/kg, this compound also reversed the enhancement of serum levels of triglycerides (TG) and total cholesterol back to normal levels. In addition, imbalances in both serum and hepatic values of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) were prevented. Finally, this compound both blocked the generation of lipid peroxide and hydroxyl radicals and enhanced the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in liver. Therefore, our data strongly suggest that ZYM-201 sodium succinate could play a role in modulating hyperlipidemic conditions, which could be used as a valuable remedy for the treatment of relevant disorders such as atherosclerosis and vascular diseases.