Tessaria absinthioides (Hook. & Arn.) DC. (Asteraceae) Decoction: Improves the Hypercholesterolemia and Alters the Expression of LXRs in Rat Liver and Hypothalamus

Abstract

Chronic high-fat diet consumption induces hypercholesterolemia. The effect of Tessariaabsinthioides (Hook. & Arn.) DC. (Asteraceae) was studied on the levels of total cholesterol (TC),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), and triglycerides, and on the expression of liver Xreceptors (LXRs) in a hypercholesterolemic model. Adult male rats received a normal diet (ND) or ahigh-fat diet (HFD; normal diet + bovine fat + cholesterol). After 14 days, rats received water (W)or a decoction of the aerial parts of T. absinthioides (Ta; 10% w/v) for 2, 4, or 6 weeks. Four and sixweeks of Ta improved the levels of TC and HDL-c in HFD. After 6 weeks of Ta, the expression ofLXRs in HFD was the same as that in ND in both tissues. The Ta chemical profile was studied withan ultrahigh resolution liquid chromatography Orbitrap MS analysis (UHPLC?PDA?OT-MS/MS).Fifty-one compounds were identified, of which twelve are reported for the first time. Among thesecompounds, caffeoylquinic acid and its derivatives could modify the lipid profile and the expressionof LXRs. This is the first in vivo report of T. absinthioides, which may be a potential candidateagainst hypercholesterolemia.