Effects of total glucosides from paeony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall) roots on experimental atherosclerosis in rats.

Abstract

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE:

Total glucosides of paeony (TGP), compounds extracted from the roots of Paeonia lactiflora Pall, have been used as an anti-inflammatory drug for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in China. Inflammation plays a critical role in the development of atherosclerotic vascular disease. Risk of cardiovascular diseases is significantly higher in patients with RA than in normal population. It has a great significance to study the effects of TGP on atherosclerosis.

AIM OF THE STUDY:

To investigate the effects of TGP on atherosclerosis induced by excessive administration of vitamin D and cholesterol in rats and study the mechanisms involved.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Atherosclerosis was induced by excessive administration of vitamin D and cholesterol in rats. TGP was intragastrically administered for 15 weeks. The serum concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured by automatic biochemistry analyzer. Apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) and apolipoprotein B (ApoB) were determined by immunoturbidimetry method, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. The morphological changes of aorta were observed with optical microscopy.

RESULTS:

Compared to controls, TGP significantly lowered the serum level of TC, TG, LDL-C, ApoB, TNF-alpha, IL-6 and CRP, increased the ratios of HDL-C/LDL-C and ApoA1/ApoB, decreased the intima-media thickness (IMT) of abdominal aortal wall and improved the morphological change of the aorta.

CONCLUSIONS:

TGP may attenuate the development of atherosclerotic disease. The beneficial effects are associated with its lowering blood lipids and inhibiting the expression of inflammatory cytokines.

• Authors: Jing Li, Chang Xun Chen, Yun Hui Shen
• Journal: Journal of ethnopharmacology (J Ethnopharmacol) Vol. 135 Issue 2 Pg. 469-75 (May 17 2011) ISSN: 1872-7573 [Electronic] Ireland
• PMID: 21453765 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Cytokines
• Glucosides
• Lipids

Topics

• Animals
• Atherosclerosis (drug therapy)
• Cytokines (analysis)
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
• Glucosides (analysis, therapeutic use)
• Lipids (blood)
• Male
• Paeonia (chemistry)
• Plant Roots (chemistry)
• Rats
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley