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Planta Med 2009; 75(11): 1203-1208
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1185539
Pharmacology
Original Paper
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Suppression of Diet-Induced Hypercholesterolemia by Scutellarin in Rats

Qing Li1 , 2 , Jian-Hong Wu2 , De-Jian Guo2 , Huan-Le Cheng2 , Shi-Lin Chen1 , 2 , Shun-Wan Chan2 , 3
  • 1Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China
  • 2State Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine and Molecular Pharmacology, Shenzhen, P. R. China
  • 3Open Laboratory of Chirotechnology, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong , Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, P. R. China
Further Information

Publication History

received Nov. 10, 2008 revised February 18, 2009

accepted February 25, 2009

Publication Date:
06 April 2009 (online)

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Abstract

Hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor for the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases including atherosclerosis. A major active ingredient, scutellarin, from the plant Erigeron breviscapus was investigated for its hypocholesterolemic and atheroscleroprotective effects (30 and 100 mg/kg/day, p. o.). The serum lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol) was monitored and aortic functions in Sprague-Dawley rats fed with normal diet, atherogenic diet or atherogenic diet plus oral administration of either scutellarin or simvastatin (a positive control) were tested. It was found that scutellarin markedly attenuated the increased serum total cholesterol induced by atherogenic diet. It caused a significant reduction in the atherogenic index. In addition, scutellarin administration could significantly enhance acetylcholine-induced nitrate/nitrite production, increase the gene expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and improve acetylcholine-induced endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation in rat isolated aortas. These data revealed that scutellarin could reduce the atherogenic properties of dietary cholesterol in rats. However, whether scutellarin's atheroscleroprotective potential targets endothelial function directly or indirectly on its antioxidative activity remains to be determined.

Key words

scutellarin - atherosclerosis - hypercholesterolemia - vasorelaxation - nitric oxide - cholesterol

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Dr. Shun-Wan Chan

Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology
Open Laboratory of Chirotechnology
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Hong Kong SAR

People's Republic of China

Phone: + 85 2 34 00 87 18

Fax: + 85 2 23 64 99 32

Email: bcswchan@polyu.edu.hk

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