## 3 Results and Discussion
### Effect of the ZLF Aqueous Extract on High-Fat Diet-Induced Lipid Metabolism Disturbance in Mice
#### 3.3.2 The Effect of ZLF on Triglycerides, Total Cholesterol, and HDL-Cholesterol  
The effect of aqueous ZLF extract on the plasma level of triglyceride, total cholesterol, and HDL-cholesterol in mice exposed to a chronic high-fat diet was presented in Figure 4. Indeed, a significant increase in triglycerides (\(p<0.001\)), and total cholesterol (\(p<0.001\)), and a non-significant decrease in HDL cholesterol were observed for the mice of HCG compared to the mice of NCG. However, the daily intake of ZLF aqueous extract at 200 and 400 mg/kg during four weeks of treatment significantly harmonized the increase in triglyceride and total cholesterol for the mice of HCG compared to mice of NCG. This suggests that the hypocholesterolemocity of the aqueous ZLF extract may be due to the redistribution of plasma LDL-cholesterol to the liver and extra-hepatic tissues via these receptors at the level of hepatocytes, intended for elimination in the form of bile acids. In addition, to avoid cholesterol deposition in blood vessels, the abundance of cholesterol in peripheral tissues must be returned to the liver via HDL [35]. Indeed, the hypocholesterolemocity of the aqueous ZLF extract has been associated with a rise in plasma levels of HDL-cholesterol, leading to the elimination of cholesterol in the form of bile acids. This result is in harmony with previous work evaluating the hypolipidemic effect of plant extracts [36]. On the other hand, it has been recently reported that triglycerides play a crucial role in maintaining normal lipid metabolism by regulating lipoprotein interactions [25]. In our results, administration of the aqueous ZLF extract reduced plasma triglyceride levels in mice exposed to a chronic fat-rich diet. This result shows that our extract may restore the catabolism of triglycerides in mice with a high-fat diet. This effect may be due to the improved elimination of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins through the improved activity of lipase lipoproteins and improved absorption of triglycerides transported in VLDL by peripheral organs [37]. Another mechanism may be related to the regulation of intestinal uptake of TG mediated by pancreatic lipase that catalyzes the hydrolysis of triglycerides into mono- and diglycerides, which are captured by intestinal cells [38]. Although the direct involvement of TG in atherosclerosis is not yet confirmed, it has been reported that reducing serum TG levels is effective in preventing hyperlipidemia and treating heart disease [39]. \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c} \hline \hline
**Groups** & **Weight Gain (g)** & \
\begin{tabular}{c} **Relative Kidney to Body** \\ **Weight (g/100 g of bw)** \\ \end{tabular} &
\begin{tabular}{c} **Relative Liver to Body** \\ **Weight (g/100 g of bw)** \\ \end{tabular} \\ \hline NCG & 5.61 \(\pm\) 0.73 & 0.67 \(\pm\) 0.16 & 3.81 \(\pm\) 0.92 \\ HCG & 7.39 \(\pm\) 0.21 & 0.79 \(\pm\) 0.15 & 4.51 \(\pm\) 0.83 \\ ZLF (200 mg/Kg) & 6.11 \(\pm\) 1.01 & 0.72 \(\pm\) 0.11 & 4.13 \(\pm\) 0.71 \\ ZLF (400 mg/Kg) & 5.31 \(\pm\) 0.92 & 0.69 \(\pm\) 0.09 & 4.01 \(\pm\) 0.25 \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 1: Bodyweight and Relative Weight of Organs. This could be explained by the fact that the aqueous ZLF extract stimulated the lipolytic activity of plasma lipoprotein lipase, as assumed by other users of different plants [40]. The anti-hyperlipidemia effects observed in this study can be attributed to the high concentration of polyphenols and flavonoids in the ZLF extract. Indeed, it has recently been reported that ZLF contains a large amount of catechin, which can form complexes with lipids and lipolytic enzymes, thus interfering with the emulsification of lipids, hydrolysis, micellar solubilization, and subsequent absorption [41]. Also, maybe by capturing free radicals to stop the chain reaction of lipid oxidation and preserving paraoxonase activity associated with HDL by chelating pro-oxidizing metal ions, thereby preventing LDL oxidation [42].