Additive Beneficial Effect of Epigallocatechin Gallate and Quercetin on the Arteriosclerosis Index in Mice

There are few reports on the combined effect of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and quercetin (QU) on the arteriosclerosis index (AI) in mice fed a normal diet. The effects of diets with high flavonoid contents on body and liver weights, and AI were investigated in C57BL/6 J mice. Five-week-old C57BL/6 J mice were fed diets containing EGCG (0.01 – 1.0%), QU (0.01 – 1.0%), or EGCG + QU (0.03% each) for 4 weeks. After breeding, body and liver weights were measured. Blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture and total, HDL, and LDL cholesterol levels were measured. The flavonoid containing diets appeared to have slight effects on both body and liver weights. Cholesterol levels changed slightly after breeding of mice fed any of the three diets. The results indicated that these flavonoids have very slight effects on weight gain and liver weight. AI was significantly reduced in breeding mice fed the combination (EGCG + QU) diet. These results suggest that the combination of EGCG and QU is beneficial for the maintenance of cardiovascular health.