Small-Leaved Kuding Tea Extract Fractions Attenuate Hyperlipidemia and Hepatic Steatosis in Mice: Association with Upregulation of Fatty Acid β-Oxidation Enzymes and Improvement of Metabolic Biomarkers

Background/Objectives: Hyperlipidemia is a prevalent metabolic disorder that increases cardiovascular disease risk and is associated with lipid accumulation, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Small-leaved Kuding tea (SLKT) has multiple health benefits, but its lipid-lowering mechanisms remain unclear. This study evaluated the therapeutic effects of different SLKT fractions on hyperlipidemia and investigated their modulation of the fatty acid degradation pathway.

Methods

A hyperlipidemia mouse model was established using a high-fat diet for 8 weeks. Sixty successfully modeled mice were randomly divided into six groups: model control, anhydrous ethanol fraction (SLK-AE), ethyl acetate fraction (SLK-EA), n-butanol fraction (SLK-NA), water-soluble fraction (SLK-WA), and simvastatin (positive control). Mice received daily gavage for 8 weeks. Serum biochemical indices, inflammatory factors, hepatic oxidative stress markers, and liver histopathology were assessed. Protein expression levels of ACADM, EHHADH, and HADHB in the liver were detected by Western blot.