Vine tea flavonoids alleviate high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidaemia in rats

This study evaluated the hypolipidemic effect of vine tea flavonoids (AGF) in high-fat diet-fed rats. Animals received low-, medium-, or high-dose AGF (50, 100, or 200 mg/kg BW) for seven weeks, with Xuezhikang (60 mg/kg BW) as a positive control. The results showed that AGF, particularly the high dose (H-AGF), significantly reduced body weight, liver weight, hepatic lipid accumulation, and markers of liver damage (ALT, AST). H-AGF also improved serum lipid profiles by lowering TC, TG, and LDL-C while increasing HDL-C, enhanced antioxidant capacity, and promoted beneficial gut bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Collinsella. Transcriptome analysis further revealed that H-AGF modulated key genes involved in triglyceride, cholesterol, and fatty acid metabolism pathways. Overall, the H-AGF was more effective than Xuezhikang in most measured outcomes. Thus, AGF can be developed in the future as a potential natural resource for hypolipidemic drugs, functional foods, and additives.