Antihyperlipidemic effect of flavonoids from Prunus davidiana.

Blood lipid levels in rats with hyperlipidemia resulting from high-fat feeding were determined after ip administration of an MeOH extract of Prunus davidiana stems and its flavonoid components, (+)-catechin, prunin (= naringenin 7-O-glucoside), and hesperetin 5-O-glucoside. Administration of the MeOH extract for 3 days produced a significant decrease of blood triglyceride and total cholesterol, and the atherogenic index was also improved. (+)-Catechin was shown to be effective in reducing the elevated level of triglyceride. Prunin and hesperetin 5-O-glucoside did not show such an effect in high-fat-fed hypertriglyceridemic rats, but they did exhibit a significant hypocholesterolemic effect.