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HVC1, a novel formation containing four herbs, was developed and its hypolipidemic effects in rats with high cholesterol diet (HCD)-induced hyperlipidemia were investigated. The rats were given a HCD for 8 weeks. The HVC1-treated groups were orally administered HVC1 at doses of 10, 50 or 250 mg/kg, respectively, and the simvastatin group was treated at a dose of 10 mg/kg. The normal diet and HCD control groups were administered with physiological saline. Oral administration of HVC1 (10, 50 or 250 mg/kg) significantly reduced the body weight of rats with hyperlipidemia and regulated the total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the serum. In addition, tissue analysis revealed that lipid accumulation in the liver and aorta was reduced by HVC1 administration. Furthermore, HVC1 significantly reduced the mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase and low-density lipoprotein receptor, as well as the protein level of 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase in the liver. The results clearly demonstrate that HVC1 has a potent hypolipidemic effect, and suggest that HVC1 should be evaluated as a potential treatment for hyperlipidemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]