Objectives To investigate the effects of the cell lines of saussurea medusa (CLSM) on regulating blood lipid in rats with hyperlipidemia.

Methods A randomised controlled experimental Study. This study was done by the Department of Cardiology in the PLA General Hospital. Sixty-four male SD rats with the body mass of 200 g to 220 g were randomly divided into 4 groups with 16 rats in each: normal control group, hyperlipidemic model group, hish dose CLSM group and low dose CLSM group. Rats in the control group was fed with regular diet. While those in the model group, high and low dose CLSM groups were given high-fat diet. At the same time, rats in the high and low dose CLSM groups were administrated by CLSM 500 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg per day respectively. Three weeks later, blood samples were taken for the measurement of blood lipid levels and liver and renal functions.

Results The levels of cholesterol, triglyceride (TG) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) were lower in the high dose CLSM group than in the model group [(2. 66 ± 0. 51) mmol/L, (3. 23 ± 0. 57) mmol/L, P = 0. 030; (1. 59 ± 0. 77) mmol/L, (2. 48 ± 0. 83) mmol/L, P = 0. 023; (1. 68 ± 0. 31) mmol/L, (2. 07 ± 0. 43) mmol/L, P = 0. 032]. The level of high density lipoprotein (HDL) in the high dose CLSM group was higher than that in the model group [(0.98 ± 0.29) mmol/L, (0.66 ± 0.37) mmol/L, P = 0. 045]. There was no significant diference in liver and renal functions among all the groups (P > 0. 05).

Conclusions CLSM has the blood lipid regulating effects on rats with hyperlipidemia.