## 3 Results and Discussion
### Effects of VIAPW (M7) and IRWWW (M10) on Lowering Intracellular TG and TC Contents  
TG and TC are separate types of lipids that circulate in blood. TG is a major source of energy for the body through storing unused calories in adipocytes and muscle cells. TC is a ubiquitous constituent of cell membranes. High TG levels are harmful and increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, acute pancreatitis, obesity, and metabolic syndrome [31]. High TC levels are one of the dangerous factors that can result in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), including heart attack, transient ischemic attack, stroke, and peripheral artery disease [32]. Effects of VIAPW (M7) and IRWWW (M10) on the cellular TG and TC contents were presented in Figure 4. The TC and TG contents in OA cell model group were \(0.247\pm 0.004\) mm and \(53.45\pm 0.15\)\(\mu\)g/mg protein, respectively, which were extremely (\(p<0.001\)) significantly higher than those of the blank control group (TC content: \(0.144\pm 0.002\) mm, and TG content: \(42.11\pm 0.32\)\(\mu\)g/mg protein), respectively. The data manifested that the hyperlipidemic cell model was successfully built. After treatment with VIAPW (M7) and IRWWW (M10) at the concentrations of 10, 50, and 100 \(\mu\)m, the TC and TG contents in hyperlipidemic HepG2 cell model decreased in a concentration-effect relationship, and the TG and TC levels of VIAPW (M7) treated group were lower than those of IRWWW (M10) group at all the tested concentrations. In addition, Figure 4A indicated that the TG levels of VIAPW (M7) and IRWWW (M10) groups were significantly less than those of the OA model and the negative control groups at 50 \(\mu\)m (\(p<0.05\)), but the TG levels of VIAPW (M7) and IRWWW (M10) groups were very (\(p<0.01\)) and extremely (\(p<0.001\)) less than those of the OA model and negative control groups at 100 \(\mu\)m. Figure 4B illustrates that the TC level of VIAPW (M7) was very significantly lower than that of the OA model and negative control groups at 100 \(\mu\)m (\(p<0.01\)), but the TC levels of the IRWWW (M10) groups were very (\(p<0.01\)) and extremely (\(p<0.001\)) lower than those of the OA model and negative control groups at 50 and 100 \(\mu\)m, respectively. Those results indicate that VIAPW (M7) and IRWWW (M10) could inhibit the synthesis of TC and TG and activate the catabolism of these compounds. In addition, the ability of IRWWW (M10) to lower the TG and TC levels was higher than that of VIAPW (M7) group at the same concentrations. In addition, the TG and TC levels of IRWWW (M10) groups at 100 \(\mu\)m were extremely (\(p<0.001\)) less than those of the OA model group, which were close to the levels of SV group at 10 \(\mu\)m. Simvastatin (SV) is a statin drug and used to decrease the risk of cardiovascular diseases through lowering the cholesterol content by inhibiting the activity of HMGR. However, some side effects including indigestion, diarrhoea, nausea, muscle aches or pains, and weakness affect the patient's application. In our future study, we will increase the biological activities (bioavailability) of VIAPW (M7) and IRWWW (M10) through modifying their chemical structures. In addition, the toxic side effects of VIAPW (M7) and IRWWW (M10) and their derivatives will also be the focus of our attention. Effects of VIAPW (M7) and IRWWW (M10) on the Expression Levels of Genes Involved in Lipid Metabolism  
Lipid metabolism refers to the oxidation and synthesis of fats in cells, which involve the breaking down or storage of fats for energy. The adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway plays a major role for regulating the lipid metabolism and is a key sensor of energy homeostasis at the cell level [33]. Previous studies confirmed that AMPK could phosphorylate and inactivate the functions of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), SREBP, HMGR, and FAS and then control the biosynthesis of TG and sterols [24].