Hyperlipidemia Intervention from Medicine-Food Homologous Plants: A Review of Regulatory Status, Processing Techniques, and Lipid-Lowering Mechanisms

BACKGROUND: The rising global prevalence of hyperlipidemia is closely linked to current dietary patterns, sparking interest in "medicine-food homology" (MFH) plants as natural resources that provide both nutritional benefits and therapeutic effects. This study reviews MFH plants used to treat hyperlipidemia, incorporating changes in regulatory mechanisms, the impact of processing on bioavailability, and evidence of their lipid-lowering effects. METHODS: This narrative review, supported by a structured literature search, summarizes the practical applications of MFH plant species with both medicinal and edible properties and discusses their bioactive components and lipid-regulating mechanisms. RESULTS: MFH plants not only contain anti-lipid active ingredients but also have improved bioavailability after processing through processing technology and function through lipid metabolism pathways and the gut-liver axis. CONCLUSIONS: The development and application of MFH plants face several challenges, including incomplete and inconsistent international regulatory frameworks, difficulties in quality control, and limited clinical evidence for lipid-lowering mechanisms. Nevertheless, MFH plants hold promise for development into functional foods or nutraceuticals aimed at supporting lipid regulation.