HDL biology
Desmodium gyrans extract raises HDL-promoting SR-B1 and apoA-I while lowering CETP expression in liver cells (Indian J Pharmacol 2021)
Original title: Desmodium gyrans dc modulates lipid trafficking in cultured macrophages and improves functional high-density lipoprotein in male wistar rats
The mechanistic basis of the HDL-enhancing property of Desmodium gyrans methanolic extract (DGM), previously shown to reduce hyperlipidemia in fat- and cholesterol-fed rats and rabbits, was studied using macrophage and hepatocyte models. DGM pretreatment inhibited oxidized lipid uptake and enhanced lipid efflux in THP-1-derived macrophages, while oral DGM (100 and 250 mg/kg) over one month progressively raised serum HDL, apoA-I, and paraoxonase activity in male Wistar rats. In HepG2 cells exposed to DGM, quantitative PCR showed a dose-dependent increase in SR-B1 and apoA-I mRNA expression alongside reduced CETP expression. The authors conclude that DGM promotes functional HDL and reverse cholesterol transport through increased apoA-I and paraoxonase activity together with reduced CETP and increased SR-B1 expression.
Original abstract
Objective: High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol-mediated atherosclerotic plaque regression has gained wide therapeutic attention. The whole plant methanolic extract of the medicinal plant Desmodium gyrans Methanolic Extract (DGM) has shown to mitigate hyperlipidemia in high fat- and-cholesterol fed rats and rabbits with significant HDL enhancing property. The study aimed to assess the functionality and mechanistic basis of HDL promoting effect of DGM.
Materials And Methods: Macrophage cholesterol efflux and foam cell formation assays were performed in THP-1 macrophages. Male Wistar rats were given DGM extract over 1 month and assessed the serum HDL, Apolipoprotein A1 (Apo-A1), and paraoxonase activity. Quantitative Polymerase chain reaction was carried out to assess the expression level of Apo-A1, SR-B1 (Scavenger receptor B1), and Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) on cDNA of HepG2 cells exposed to DGM.
Results: Pretreatment of DGM inhibited uptake of oxidized lipids and enhanced the lipid efflux by THP-1-derived macrophages. Oral administration of DGM (100 and 250 mg/kg) progressively enhanced the serum HDL, Apo-A1 level, and associated paraoxonase activity in normal male Wistar rats. In support to this, DGM exposed HepG2 cells documented dose-dependent increase in the expression of SR-B1 and Apo-A1 mRNA, while reduced the CETP expression.
Conclusion: Overall the results indicated that DGM modulates lipid trafficking and possesses functional HDL enhancing potential through increased Apo-A1 levels and paraoxonase activity. Further, reduced CETP expression and increased expression of SR-B1 suggest the reverse cholesterol transport promoting role of DGM.
Summary written by cetpinhibition.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 19 August 2026. Methods.