Objective: To investigate the effects of Cordyceps militaris extracts (YCC) on regulating serum lipids and antioxidation. Method: We established high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemic golden hamster model. After the four-week administration of YCC (200 mg ·kg-1)

the levels of total cholesterol (TC)

triglyceride (TG)

low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c)

and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c) in serum were assayed with the method of chromatometry to observe the effects of YCC on serum lipid regulation; we also evaluated the scavenging activity of YCC against a array of free radicals

including 1

1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical(DPPH)

superoxide anion

hydroxyl radical

peroxyl radical

hydrogen peroxide and peroxynitrite based on molecular level reactions in vitro; at the same time

we evaluated the effect of YCC on cupric ion-induced human low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation. Results: Compared with model group

YCC decreased the levels of serum TC

TG

LDL-c significantly

while increased the ratio of HDL-c/LDL-c (P<0.05) at the dose of 200 mg ·kg-1. The IC50 of YCC against DPPH and hydrogen peroxide are (125.6±3.4) mg ·L-1

(758.9±11.2) mg ·L-1 respectively. The maximal scavenging activity of YCC against peroxyl radical

peroxynitrite and hydroxyl radical is (86.5±14.5)%

(64.4±3.3)%

(44.1±6.0)%. In addition

YCC prolonged the lag phase of LDL oxidation process at 50

100 mg ·L-1. Conclusion: YCC displayed serum lipid regulating in vivo and antioxidative activity in vitro.