Synergistic mediating effect of edible fungal polysaccharides (Auricularia and Tremellan) and Crataegus flavonoids in hyperlipidemic rats

Abstract Both edible fungal polysaccharides ( Auricularia and Tremellan ) and Crataegus flavonoids promote the balance of dyslipidemia, which have a positive biological regulating effect on intestinal flora. In this study, the extraction of water‐soluble polysaccharides from Auricularia and Tremellan was investigated and optimized firstly. Polysaccharides and flavonoids were then combined to study the effects on the mediating role of abnormal blood lipid concentration and intestinal flora in vivo. The rats were divided into 10 groups, the NC (normal control), HM (model), PCI (Simvastatin control), PCII (Fenofibrate control), AAP ( Auricularia auricular Polysaccharide), TFP ( Tremella fuciformis Polysaccharide), HF ( Crataegus Flavonoid), LDC (Low‐dose combination), MDC (Medium dose combination), and HDC (High‐dose combination), used to explore the impact of polysaccharides and flavonoids complex on state of blood lipid, liver, and intestinal flora of dyslipidemia rats. The results showed that the combination of polysaccharides and flavonoids could significantly decrease the levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low‐density lipoprotein (LDL‐C), and increase the level of high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C). It also significantly decreased the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and improved liver morphology. What is more, the HDC favorably alters the intestinal microflora balance, promotes intestinal integrity and mobility, and inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria such as Escherichia coli/Shigella and Clostridium compared with HM group. In brief, the combination of polysaccharides and flavonoids had a synergistic effect on the remission of dyslipidemia, and promoted health by improving lipid metabolism, protecting liver tissue, and regulating the intestinal flora in hyperlipidemia rats.