Fig. 3

Diosgenin influenced the mice gene expression and the protein involved in cholesterol metabolism. A mRNA expression of genes involved in hepatic cholesterol metabolism. B mRNA expression of genes involved in hepatic bile acid and phospholipid metabolism. C mRNA expression of genes involved in intestinal cholesterol transportation. D Protein level of NPC1L1 in the intestine in mice from LD, LD-1DG, LD-2DG groups. The histogram shows gray value ratio of NPC1L1/β-ACTIN. E The mRNA expression of Npc1l1 in small intestine from DG gavaged mice. F The protein level of NPC1L1 in the small intestine from DG gavaged mice. The gray value ratio was plotted on the side. G Fluorescence image showing cholesterol uptake in ex-vivo intestinal villi from mice fed with LD diet, LD + diosgenin diet or LD diet + ezetimibe. Mean fluorescence intensity statistics are plotted on the side. H Cholesterol content in feces from mice in each group. Data are expressed as mean ± SEM (n = 10 in each group in A, B; n = 5 in each group in E, F; n = 3 in each group in G). *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001, ****P < 0.0001. LD: lithogenic diet; LD-1DG: LD + 1% diosgenin; LD-2DG: LD + 2% diosgenin; LD-EZM: LD + ezetimibe