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Planta Med 2015; 81(03): 175-184
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1396240
Biological and Pharmacological Activity
Original Papers
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Amelioration by Catalpol of Atherosclerotic Lesions in Hypercholesterolemic Rabbits

Jiang-yue Liu
Department of Pathophysiology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, P. R. China
,
Dai-juan Zhang
Department of Pathophysiology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, P. R. China
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 17 February 2014
revised 10 December 2014

accepted 19 December 2014

Publication Date:
11 February 2015 (online)

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Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of catalpol administration on atherosclerosis. Atherogenesis was induced by a high-cholesterol chow in male New Zealand White rabbits that were randomly assigned to receive atorvastatin (5 mg/kg/day), catalpol (5 mg/kg/day), or vehicle by oral gavage for 12 weeks. The rabbits were sacrificed after 12 weeks, and the thoracic aorta and serum were collected for further pathological and molecular biological analysis. Catalpol administration resulted in significantly attenuated atherosclerotic lesions. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were remarkably reduced, and high-density lipid cholesterol was elevated in the catalpol-treated group. Catalpol reduced the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in the serum, as well as vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, tumor necrosis factor-α protein, inducible nitric oxide synthase, matrix metalloproteinases-9, and nuclear factor-κB protein65 in the aortic arch. In addition, catalpol treatment reduced the lipid peroxidation levels, while elevating antioxidant capacity. Catolpol pretreatment inhibited the nuclear translocation and DNA binding activity of nuclear factor-κB protein in oxygenized low-density lipoprotein-stimulated EA.hy926 cells. Furthermore, catolpol pretreatment activated nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 and upregulated the expression of its downstream antioxidant enzyme heme oxygenase. In summary, catalpol attenuated atherosclerotic lesions by the inhibition of inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress status in a rabbit atherosclerotic model and enhanced the antioxidant capacity in oxygenized low-density lipoprotein-stimulated EA.hy926 cells. These results suggest that catalpol may be used to prevent and attenuate atherosclerosis.

Key words

atherosclerosis - catalpol - inflammatory cytokine - oxidation - Nrf2

Supporting Information

 

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