Cardio-protective and Anti-atherosclerosis Effect of Crocetin on Vitamin D3 and HFD-induced Atherosclerosis in Rats

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a chronic disease and causes the highest rate of death globally. CVD-related deaths account for 80% of all deaths in low and middle-income countries, such as China. Crocetin (CT), a carotenoid phytoconstituent already confirm their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in various diseases animal models. In the study, we make effort to access the cardio-protective effect of Crocetin against vitamin D3 and high fat induced atherosclerosis in rats and scrutinize the underlying mechanism. Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were used in this study and rats were divided into different groups and high fat diet and vitamin D was used for induction the atherosclerosis. The rats were received oral administration of crocetin ( 5, 10 and 15 mg/kg) and simvastatin (0.5 mg/kg) until 30 days. At the end of the experimental period, lipid, cardiac markers, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, pro-inflammatory cytokines and atherogenic index were estimated. The mRNA expression of Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (MCP-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) in aortic tissue of the atherosclerotic rats. Crocetin significantly reduced the aortic membrane thickness and platelet aggregation rates. Crocetin also dose-dependently reduced total cholesterol (TC), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), triacylglycerol (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and augmented the level of highdensity lipoprotein (HDL) level. Additionally, Crocetin significantly (p < 0.001) abridged the level of malonaldehyde (MDA) and augmented the level of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Furthermore, Crocetin significantly (p < 0.001) dosedependently reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory mediators. Crocetin attenuated mRNA expression of VCAM-1, ICAM-1 and MCP-1. Crocetin had anti-atherosclerosis and cardio-protective effects on vitamin D3 and high fat induced atherosclerosis in rats through antiinflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms.

Reduced Production of Pro-Inflammatory and Pro-Catabolic Factors by Human Serum Metabolites Derived from a Patented Saffron Extract Intake

“…Together, this evidence suggests that ICAM-1 inhibition could be an attractive therapeutic option for IBDs. In other models, a few studies have demonstrated that saffron compounds could decrease ICAM-1 expression [ 71 , 72 ]. However, to the best of our knowledge, we have demonstrated for the first time the positive effect of human serum containing compounds from saffron extract intake on ICAM-1 markers in inflamed human epithelial cells, which could help in the treatment of IBDs.…”

Dendrobium huoshanense Improves Lipid Metabolism Disorder by Restoring Gut Flora and Metabolites in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet

“…Te model group (HFD) was fed a high-fat diet (HFD; XTHF60; 60% calories from fat), with free access to water. Te positive control group (SIM) was fed the HFD plus daily administration (by gavage) of 2.25 mg/kg/day simvastatin, according to previous studies [26,27]. Te low-dose DH group was administered HFD plus a daily administration of 300 mg/kg/ day DH (daily LD-DH), and the high-dose DH group was fed the HFD plus daily administration of DH by gavage of 600 mg/kg/day (HD-DH), according to previous studies [28,29].…”

Nanomedicine for Diagnosis and Treatment of Atherosclerosis

“…[ 66 ] High‐fat and high‐cholesterol feeding combined with intraperitoneal vitamin D injection are more popular since it promotes blood calcium absorption to damage the vascular endothelium. [ 67 ] However, no available evidence to support the superiority of rats over mice. Similarly, to induce hyperlipidemia and atherosclerotic formation, ApoE‐/‐, [ 68 ] LDLr‐/‐, [ 69 ] or double knockout rats [ 70 ] were constructed synchronously.…”