Lactones from Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. reduces atherosclerotic lesions in apoE-deficient mice via inhibiting over expression of NF-kB -dependent adhesion molecules

The present study aims to investigate the anti-atherosclerotic effects of lactones extracted from Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort (LLC) in apoE-deficient mice (ApoE^-/- mice) and proclaim its underlying mechanisms. Expression of endothelial adhesion molecules and NF-κB around the atherosclerotic lesions was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC). To further validate the mechanism, effect of LLC on the secretion of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) induced by tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) was measured by ELISA. And the activation of NF-κB was detected by western blot. Mice treated with LLC showed significant reduction in lesion sizes of thoracic segments of the aorta (p <0.01). Meanwhile, LLC treatments lead to decreases of serum TG, TC and LDL-C contents, respectively. LLC also decreased the expression of CD31, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in the atherosclerotic plaque. Moreover, LLC at 3.125-25 μg/mL can dose-dependently attenuate the expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in TNF-α stimulated HUVECs. Western blot result indicated LLC inhibited activation of NF-κB. These results suggested that LLC could ameliorate atherosclerosis in ApoE^-/- mice. The mechanism of action of LLC on anti-atherosclerotic effect may be attributed to the suppression of the production of NF-κB-dependent adhesion molecules.