Lysimachia christinae Hance regresses preestablished cholesterol gallstone in mice

Whole herb of Lysimachia christinae has long been used as a remedy for cholelithiasis extensively in China. This study was aimed to validate the effect of L. christinae on eliminating preestablished cholesterol gallstone (CGS) in model animals.

Acute toxicity of aqueous extract of L. christinae (LCAE) was estimated in male C57BL/6 mice, so was the efficiency of LCAE on preformed CGS induced by lithogenic diet. The effects of LCAE were also examined on bile secretion rate, the lipid profiles of bile and serum, body weight, main visceral organ indexes, and histomorphology of main visceral organs.

Single dose of LCAE did not lead to death and changes on body weight gain, main visceral organ indexes, histomorphology of main visceral organs, and blood hemogram and biochemical indexes, even at dose of 50g material/kg body weight. Preestablished CGSs were almost entirely eliminated after administration of LCAE for 2wk at high dose or for 4wk at low dose. LCAE promoted bile secretion and lowered cholesterol levels in either cystic bile or hepatic bile. LCAE also decreased serum cholesterol content, especially LDL-C content, tremendously, reduced the levels of serum HDL-C, phospholipid, and triglycerine a little, and lowered body weight and liver index significantly. After medication of LCAE for 8wk , neither visceral indexes nor histomorphology of heart, kidney, and spleen were influenced, but fatty degeneration of liver induced by high fat and high cholesterol diet was reverted.

L. christinae can be considered as non-toxic. It showed prominent efficiency of eliminating preexisted CGS in mice and indicated a hypolipidaemic effect.