This study was designed to assess the efficacy of Coriandrum sativum L. (CS) in preventing in vitro
low density lipoprotein (
LDL) oxidation mediated macrophage modification. Further, an in vivo study was also conducted to confirm upon the efficacy of CS seed extract in alleviating pathophysiological alterations of high
cholesterol diet induced
atherosclerosis in rats.
Copper mediated cell free oxidation of
LDL accounted for elevated indices of
malondialdehyde (MDA),
lipid hydroperoxide (LHP)and
protein carbonyl (PC) and a progressive increment in conjugate diene (CD) levels whereas, reverse set of changes were recorded in presence of CS extract. Cell mediated
LDL oxidation (using RAW 264.7 cells) accounted for lowered MDA production and
oxidized LDL (
Ox-LDL) mediated cell death in presence of CS extract and the same was attributed to its potent
antioxidant and
free radical scavenging potentials. High
cholesterol fed atherogenic rats showed elevated
lipid indices, evidences of
LDL oxidation, plaque formation in thoracic aorta. The same was further validated with immunostaining of
cell adhesion molecules and
hematoxylin and
eosin (HXE) staining. However, co-supplementation of CS to atherogenic rats recorded significant lowering of the above mentioned parameters further strengthening the claim that CS extract is instrumental in preventing onset and progression of
atherosclerosis.