Hypolipidaemic effects of cyanidin 3-glucoside rich extract from black rice through regulating hepatic lipogenic enzyme activities

BACKGROUND: Black rice is rich in anthocyanins, especially cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G). This study examined the effects of a C3G-rich extract from black rice on hyperlipidaemia induced by a high fat/cholesterol diet (HFCD) in rats. RESULTS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed either HFCD or HFCD containing 150 mg kg(-1) body weight C3G (HFCD+C3G) for 4 weeks. We found that C3G significantly decreased serum levels of total cholesterol, free cholesterol, triglycerides, and free fatty acids in rats fed a HFCD. Similarly, hepatic cholesterol and triglyceride levels and the activities of hepatic lipogenic enzymes (malic enzyme and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) were significantly reduced by C3G supplementation. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that C3G can ameliorate HFCD-induced hyperlipidaemia in part by modulating the activities of hepatic lipogenic enzymes. (C) 2013 Society of Chemical Industry