The interventional effect of Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua polysaccharide on atherosclerosis in mice of different sexes

In the present study,we investigated the intervention effects of a purified Polygonatum cyrtonema polysaccharide(PCP)on high-fat diet(HFD)-induced atherosclerosis in male and female LDLr-/-mice.Results showed that HFD caused severe dyslipidemia,atherosclerotic lesions,oxidative damages and inflammation in male and female mice,and these effects seemed to be more pronounced in males than in females.However,the above variations could be dose-dependently reversed by PCP treatment,and the intervention effects on males were greater than those on females.Nuclear factor kappa-B(NF-κB),mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPKs)and protein kinase B(Akt)are 3 pivotal signaling pathways mediating the development of atherosclerosis.Consistently,PCP was also found to significantly decrease the phosphorylation of p65,p38,extracellular-regulated kinase 1/2(ERK1/2)and Akt,and increase the protein expression of inhibitor of NF-κB(IκB)in the aortas of male and female mice induced by HFD.Taken together,these findings indicated that PCP could be effective for the prevention of atherosclerosis,and the intervention effect of PCP on male mice was more obvious than that of female mice.

Cardiovascular protective properties of gastrodin

Cardiovascular diseases cause significant morbidity and mortality worldwide,incurring a major public health burden.Gastrodia elata Blume is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine that has been widely used to treat central nervous system and cardiovascular diseases.Gastrodin,as the major active component in Gastrodia elata Blume,can confer protection against cardiovascular diseases.In this review,we summarize the anti-inflammatory actions,anti-cardiac hypertrophy,anti-hypertension,anti-atherosclerosis,and angiogenic effects of gastrodin,as well as its protective effects on vascular cells and against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.The medical potential of gastrodin in diabetes-related cardiovascular diseases is also discussed.

Protective effects of catalpol on cardio-cerebrovascular diseases: A comprehensive review

Catalpol,an iridoid glucoside isolated from Rehmannia glutinosa,has gained attention due to its potential use in treating cardio-cerebrovascular diseases(CVDs).This extensive review delves into recent studies on catalpol's protective properties in relation to various CVDs,such as atherosclerosis,myocardial ischemia,infarction,cardiac hypertrophy,and heart failure.The review also explores the compound's anti-oxidant,anti-inflammatory,and anti-apoptotic characteristics,emphasizing the role of vital signaling pathways,including PGC-1a/TERT,PI3K/Akt,AMPK,Nrf2/HO-1,estrogen receptor(ER),Nox4/NF-kB,and GRP78/PERK.The article discusses emerging findings on catalpol's ability to alleviate diabetic cardiovascular complications,thrombosis,and other cardiovascular-related conditions.Although clinical studies specifically addressing catalpol's impact on CVDs are scarce,the compound's established safety and well-tolerated nature suggest that it could be a valuable treatment alternative for CVD patients.Further investigation into catalpol and related iridoid derivatives may unveil new opportunities for devising natural and efficacious CVD therapies.

Protective Effects of Xiongshao Capsule(芎芍胶囊) on Anti-inflammatory Function of High-Density Lipoprotein in AnAtherosclerosis Rabbit Model

Objective： To observe the effects of Xiongshao Capsule（芎芍胶囊, XSC） on anti-inflammatory properties of high-density lipoprotein（HDL）, myeloperoxidase（MPO） and paraoxonase 1（PON1） in serum of atherosclerosis（AS） rabbit model and explore the anti-inflammatory protective effects of XSC on HDL. Methods： Sixty rabbits were randomized into the control, the model, XSC low-, medium-and high-dose（Rhizoma Chuanxiong ＋ Radix Paeoniae rubra ： 0.6＋0.3, 1.2＋0.6, 2.4＋1.2 g·kg-1·day-1, respectively）, and simvastatin（1 g·kg-1·day-1） groups. The model rabbits were fed with high-fat diet and respective drugs for 15 weeks. The blood and thoracic aortas samples were collected at the end of 15 weeks. The levels of serum MPO and PON1 as well as total cholesterol（TC） and free cholesterol（FC） in aorta wall cells were tested by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Results： TC and FC in the model group were significantly higher than those in the control group（P〈0.01）. Compared with the model group, TC and FC in the XSC groups were significantly lower（P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）, so was simvastatin group（P〈0.01）. There was no significant difference in PON1 level between groups（P〉0.05）, even between model and control groups（P〉0.05）. The serum MPO level in the model group was significantly higher than that in the control group（P〈0.05）, which was significantly lower in XSC groups as well as simvastatin group（P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）, and no difference was found between XSC groups and simvastatin group（P〉0.05）. Conclusions： XSC can reduce the serum MPO level in AS rabbits to protect the anti-inflammatory function of HDL, maintaining the normal lipid transport function. TC and FC levels in aorta cells decline, and this process initiated by XSC plays an anti-AS role.