Researchers tested whether a special plant called Polygonatum sibiricum could help reduce high cholesterol in mice eating unhealthy, fatty diets. The plant is packed with insoluble fiber—the kind that doesn’t dissolve in water. After 8 weeks, mice that received this plant fiber showed significantly lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, healthier liver function, and better gut bacteria balance. The study suggests the fiber works by changing which bacteria live in the gut and how the body processes fats and nutrients. While this is promising early research in mice, scientists would need to test it in humans before recommending it as a treatment.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether fiber from a plant called Polygonatum sibiricum could lower cholesterol and improve liver health in mice eating high-fat diets
  • Who participated: Male laboratory mice (C57BL/6J strain) divided into groups: one eating only high-fat food, and two groups eating high-fat food plus different amounts of the plant fiber supplement for 8 weeks
  • Key finding: Mice receiving the plant fiber had significantly lower cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood sugar levels compared to mice eating only high-fat food. The higher dose of fiber worked better than the lower dose.
  • What it means for you: This suggests that insoluble fiber from this plant might help manage high cholesterol, but this is early-stage research in mice. Much more testing in humans would be needed before anyone should use this as a treatment. Talk to your doctor before trying any new supplements.

The Research Details

Scientists took male laboratory mice and fed them a high-fat diet for 8 weeks to make them develop high cholesterol (similar to what happens in people who eat unhealthy diets). They divided the mice into three groups: one group ate only the high-fat diet, while two other groups ate the same high-fat diet but also received supplements of fiber from Polygonatum sibiricum—one group got a smaller dose (0.5 grams per kilogram of body weight) and another got a larger dose (1.0 grams per kilogram of body weight).

Throughout the 8 weeks, researchers measured how much the mice ate and how much weight they gained. At the end, they examined the mice’s organs, tested their blood for cholesterol and other markers, and checked their liver function. They also analyzed the bacteria living in the mice’s intestines and looked at the chemical compounds produced by these bacteria, since gut bacteria play an important role in how our bodies process food.

This research design is important because it allows scientists to test whether the plant fiber directly causes improvements in cholesterol and liver health, rather than just observing that people who eat more fiber happen to be healthier (which could be due to other factors). By controlling everything the mice eat and measuring specific health markers, researchers can understand the exact mechanisms—how the fiber changes gut bacteria and affects the body’s ability to process fats.

This is a controlled laboratory study, which is good for understanding how something works, but it has limitations. The study was done in mice, not humans, so results may not apply the same way to people. The sample size of mice wasn’t specified in the abstract, making it harder to judge statistical reliability. The research was published in a peer-reviewed journal (Frontiers in Nutrition), which means other experts reviewed it before publication. However, this is early-stage research and should be considered preliminary evidence rather than proof that the treatment works in humans.

What the Results Show

Mice that received the plant fiber supplement showed dramatic improvements in their cholesterol levels. The group receiving the higher dose had significantly lower total cholesterol, lower LDL cholesterol (the ‘bad’ cholesterol), and lower triglycerides (another type of fat in the blood) compared to mice eating only the high-fat diet. Interestingly, the fiber also increased HDL cholesterol (the ‘good’ cholesterol that protects your heart).

Beyond cholesterol, the fiber-supplemented mice also showed better liver health. Their livers had higher levels of an enzyme called superoxide dismutase, which helps protect cells from damage. The mice receiving fiber also had lower blood sugar levels and better liver function tests, suggesting the fiber protected their livers from the damage caused by the high-fat diet.

The mice receiving the plant fiber also weighed less and had lower body fat compared to mice eating only high-fat food, even though all groups ate similar amounts of food. This suggests the fiber helped their bodies process fat differently.

The research revealed that the plant fiber works by changing the types of bacteria living in the mice’s intestines. Specifically, it reduced the ratio of one major bacterial group (Bacillota) to another (Bacteroidota), and increased beneficial bacteria called Alistipes and Akkermansia. These bacteria changes are important because different gut bacteria affect how our bodies break down food and absorb nutrients. The study also found that the fiber influenced metabolites—the chemical compounds produced when bacteria break down food—particularly affecting how the body processes lipids (fats) and amino acids (building blocks of protein).

This research builds on existing knowledge that dietary fiber helps with cholesterol management and that gut bacteria play a role in metabolism. However, this appears to be one of the first studies specifically examining this particular plant’s fiber and its effects on cholesterol through gut bacteria changes. The findings align with broader research showing that insoluble fiber can improve cholesterol levels and that certain beneficial bacteria are associated with better metabolic health.

This study was conducted only in mice, so we cannot assume the same results would occur in humans without further testing. The abstract doesn’t specify how many mice were used in each group, which makes it difficult to assess whether the results are statistically reliable. The study only lasted 8 weeks, so we don’t know if the benefits would continue long-term or if the mice would develop tolerance to the supplement. Additionally, this was a controlled laboratory setting where mice ate only what researchers provided—real-world human diets are much more complex and variable. The study doesn’t tell us what dose would be appropriate for humans or whether the plant fiber would work as well when combined with a regular human diet.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, we cannot yet recommend Polygonatum sibiricum fiber as a treatment for high cholesterol in humans. This is preliminary animal research that suggests the plant fiber ‘may’ help with cholesterol management. Before anyone should consider using this supplement, human clinical trials would be needed to confirm safety and effectiveness. If you have high cholesterol, continue following your doctor’s advice, which typically includes eating more fiber from common sources (whole grains, vegetables, fruits), exercising regularly, and taking prescribed medications if needed. Confidence level: Low—this is early-stage research in animals only.

This research is most relevant to nutritionists, food scientists, and pharmaceutical companies interested in developing new treatments for high cholesterol. People with high cholesterol should be aware of this research but should not attempt to use this plant supplement without consulting their doctor first. This is particularly important for people taking cholesterol medications, as supplements can interact with medications. People in countries where Polygonatum sibiricum grows naturally might be interested in this research, but they should wait for human studies before using it as a treatment.

In the mice studied, improvements in cholesterol levels were observed after 8 weeks of supplementation. If similar results occurred in humans, it might take several weeks to months to see benefits. However, this timeline is speculative since human studies haven’t been conducted yet. Any real-world benefits would likely depend on consistent use combined with other healthy lifestyle changes like diet and exercise.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Once human research confirms safety and effectiveness, users could track weekly cholesterol levels (if they have home testing capability) or monthly blood work results from their doctor, alongside daily fiber intake from all sources, to monitor whether increased fiber consumption correlates with cholesterol improvements.
  • Users interested in fiber’s cholesterol-lowering effects could start by increasing common insoluble fiber sources (whole wheat bread, brown rice, beans, vegetables with skins) rather than waiting for supplements. The app could help track daily fiber intake and set goals for gradual increases, since adding too much fiber too quickly can cause digestive discomfort.
  • Establish a baseline by recording current cholesterol levels and daily fiber intake. Set a goal to gradually increase fiber intake over 4-6 weeks while tracking any changes in energy, digestion, and (if available) cholesterol levels from regular blood work. Monitor for any side effects like bloating or digestive changes, and adjust fiber intake accordingly.

This research was conducted in laboratory mice and has not been tested in humans. The findings are preliminary and should not be used as a basis for self-treatment or as a substitute for medical advice from a qualified healthcare provider. If you have high cholesterol or are taking cholesterol-lowering medications, consult your doctor before using any dietary supplements, including those containing Polygonatum sibiricum. Some supplements can interact with medications or cause adverse effects in certain individuals. This summary is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.