Effects of Wenxiao Decoction on the expression of interleukin-6, intercellular adhesion molecular-1 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in experimental atherosclerotic rabbits.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To observe the effects of different doses of Wenxiao Decoction on the expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in experimental atherosclerotic rabbits and to explore the mechanism by which it alleviates atherosclerosis.

METHODS:

Sixty New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into six groups: a blank group, a model group, a Simvastatin group, and high-, medium-, and low-dosage Wenxiao Decoction groups. Except for those in the blank group, all rabbits were fed with a high-cholesterol diet. Carotid atherosclerosis was established by balloon-induced carotid artery endothelium injury in conjunction with the high-cholesterol diet. After 8 weeks, all animals were euthanized to evaluate levels of IL-6 and ICAM-1 expressions (by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) and of MCP-1 (by immunohistochemistry staining).

RESULTS:

The expressions of IL-6, ICAM-1, and MCP-1 were significantly increased in all groups except the blank group (P<0.05). However, the rabbits in the Wenxiao Decoction groups and the Simvastatin group showed significantly lower levels of IL-6, ICAM-1, and MCP-1 expression than those in the model group (P<0.05). The expressions of IL-6, ICAM-1, and MCP-1 in the highdosage Wenxiao Decoction group and the Simvastatin group were lower than those in the low-dosage Wenxiao Decoction group (P<0.05). The expression of MCP-1 in medium-dosage Wenxiao Decoction group was lower than that in the low-dosage group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS:

High, medium, and low doses of Wenxiao Decoction can inhibit the expressions of IL-6, ICAM-1, and MCP-1, which may prevent and stabilize atherosclerotic plaques. There may be a direct relationship between dosage and therapeutic efficacy of Wenxiao Decoction.

• Authors: Qing-ping Huo, Fang Liang, Jin-pu Li, Yu-xin Wang, Han-yan Liu
• Journal: Chinese journal of integrative medicine (Chin J Integr Med) Vol. 20 Issue 6 Pg. 445-9 (Jun 2014) ISSN: 1672-0415 [Print] China
• PMID: 24242131 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Chemokine CCL2
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal
• Interleukin-6
• wenxiao
• Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1

Topics

• Animals
• Atherosclerosis (chemically induced, metabolism, pathology)
• Chemokine CCL2 (metabolism)
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal (pharmacology)
• Immunohistochemistry
• Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 (metabolism)
• Interleukin-6 (metabolism)
• Rabbits