Yangxin Dawayimixike honey paste inhibits atherosclerosis in ApoE^(-/-)mice by attenuating blood lipids and exerting anti-inflammatory activity

Background:Yangxin Dawayimixike honey paste(YDHP)is a representative traditional Chinese medicine,and its main function is curing angina pectoris,palpitation and neurasthenia.However,it is unclear whether YDHP can suppress the development of atherosclerosis.The aim of this study was to validate the potential application of YDHP in atherosclerosis therapy and search for its potential mechanisms.Methods:Seven-week-old ApoE^(-/-)mice were randomly divided into a normal group fed a normal diet,an atherosclerosis model group fed a high-fat diet,YDHP groups fed a high-fat diet mixed with different doses of YDHP and positive control groups fed a high-fat diet mixed with atorvastatin or rosuvastatin.After feeding for 10 weeks,body weight,blood lipids,liver and kidney function indexes,serum inflammatory cytokines and atherosclerotic plaque areas were measured.Serum metabolic profiles were detected by an automatic biochemical analyser.Serum inflammatory cytokines were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits.Atherosclerotic plaque areas were analysed using Oil Red O staining.Results:The YDHP(200,400 and 800 mg/kg/d)treated groups showed reduced serum levels of low density lipoprotein-cholesterol(P<0.05,when 200 or 400 mg/kg/d of YDHP group compared with the atherosclerosis model group;P<0.01,when 800 mg/kg/d of YDHP group compared with the atherosclerosis model group),total cholesterol(P<0.05,when 200 mg/kg/d of YDHP group compared with the atherosclerosis model group;P<0.01,when 400 or 800 mg/kg/d of YDHP group compared with the atherosclerosis model group)and triglyceride(P<0.01),however,elevated serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(P<0.01)compared to the atherosclerosis model group.YDHP inhibited the area of atherosclerotic lesions.In addition,YDHP suppressed the levels of serum inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 6(P<0.05,when 200 mg/kg/d of YDHP group compared with the atherosclerosis model group;P<0.01,when 400 or 800 mg/kg/d of YDHP group compared with the atherosclerosis model group)and tumor necrosis factorα(P<0.05,when 200 mg/kg/d of YDHP group compared with the atherosclerosis model group;P<0.01,when 400 or 800 mg/kg/d of YDHP group compared with the atherosclerosis model group).Conclusion:Our study demonstrated that YDHP showed considerable activity in alleviating the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in ApoE^(-/-)mice by reducing blood lipids and exerting anti-inflammatory activity.