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Effects of total glucosides from paeony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall) roots on experimental atherosclerosis in rats

Authors Li, Jing; Chen, Chang Xun; Shen, Yun Hui

Journal JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY , FEB 20 2016,:120

DOI 10.1016/j.jpba.2015.12.019 PubMed 26730510

Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance: Total glucosides of paeony (TGP), compounds extracted from the roots of Paeonia lactiflora Pall, have been used as an anti-inflammatory drug for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in China. Inflammation plays a critical role in the development of atherosclerotic vascular disease. Risk of cardiovascular diseases is significantly higher in patients with RA than in normal population. It has a great significance to study the effects of TGP on atherosclerosis.Aim of the study: To investigate the effects of TGP on atherosclerosis induced by excessive administration of vitamin D and cholesterol in rats and study the mechanisms involved.Materials and methods: Atherosclerosis was induced by excessive administration of vitamin D and cholesterol in rats. TGP was intragastrically administered for 15 weeks. The serum concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured by automatic biochemistry analyzer. Apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) and apolipoprotein B (ApoB) were determined by immunoturbidimetry method, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELM) method. The morphological changes of aorta were observed with optical microscopy.Results: Compared to controls. TGP significantly lowered the serum level of TC, TG, LDL-C, ApoB, TNFalpha, IL-6 and CRP, increased the ratios of HDL-C/LDL-C and ApoA1/ApoB, decreased the intima-media thickness (IMT) of abdominal aortal wall and improved the morphological change of the aorta.Conclusions: TGP may attenuate the development of atherosclerotic disease. The beneficial effects are associated with its lowering blood lipids and inhibiting the expression of inflammatory cytokines. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Species covered 芍药(原变种) Paeonia lactiflora