LongShengZhi Capsule Reduces Established Atherosclerotic Lesions in apoE-Deficient Mice by Ameliorating Hepatic Lipid Metabolism and Inhibiting Inflammation

Abstract

Disorders of lipid metabolism and inflammation play an important role in atherosclerosis. LongShengZhi (LSZ) capsule, a Chinese herbal medicine, has been used for treatment of patients with vascular diseases for many years. In this article, we determined the effect of LSZ on the progression of established atherosclerotic lesions in apoE-deficient (apoE−/−) mice. ApoE−/− mice were prefed high-fat diet (HFD) for 8 weeks to induce atherosclerosis, then started with LSZ treatment contained in HFD for 10 weeks. Although LSZ had little effect on HFD-induced hypercholesterolemia, it substantially reduced en face and sinus aortic lesions. The reduction of lesions was associated with reduced macrophage/foam cell accumulation by activating ABCA1/ABCG1 expression. LSZ maintained the integrity of arterial wall by increasing collagen or smooth muscle cell content and inhibiting cell apoptosis. LSZ also attenuated HFD-induced fatty liver by down-regulating expression of lipogenic and cholesterol synthetic genes while activating expression of triglyceride catabolism genes. Moreover, LSZ demonstrated potent anti-inflammatory effects. In vivo, LSZ reduced serum TNF-α levels, infiltration of neutrophils, Kupffer cells, and expression of inflammatory cytokines in the liver. In vitro, it inhibited lipopolysaccharide or palmitate-induced expression of inflammatory cytokines in macrophages. Therefore, LSZ reduces atherosclerosis by ameliorating hepatic lipid metabolism and inhibiting inflammation.

LongShengZhi Capsule Attenuates Alzheimer-Like Pathology in APP/PS1 Double Transgenic Mice by Reducing Neuronal Oxidative Stress and Inflammation

“…LongShengZhi Capsule as a traditional Chinese medicine for treatment of atherosclerotic cerebral infarction is usually used to treat hemiplegia and stroke caused by atherosclerosis with a high degree of safety. In our previous study, we showed LSZ has few side effects (Li et al, 2019;Ma et al, 2019;Xu et al, 2020). Similarly, in this study, we treated the animal with LSZ for 7 months and found no difference in bodyweight gain, food intake, and the external appearance between control and LSZ-treated groups, which further confirms the high degree of safety of the long-term LSZ treatment.…”

“…Our previous studies have shown that LSZ can reduce thrombosis by inhibiting platelet adhesion through reducing oxidative stress and vascular inflammation in the aorta of atherosclerotic mice (Li et al, 2019;Ma et al, 2019). Moreover, we have demonstrated its strong antioxidant role in heart failure (Xu et al, 2020).…”

“…The paraffin-embedded brain was cut into 5-µm sections to detect cell death in brain tissues using a TUNEL assay kit as follows (Ma et al, 2019). Images were observed with a ZEISS Scope A1 fluorescence microscope.…”

“…The LongShengZhi capsule (LSZ), a well-known traditional Chinese herbal medicine, has long been prescribed to patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in China. It offers a potent protection against atherosclerotic lesions, ischemic brain damage, and vascular dementia (Ma et al, 2019;Yang et al, 2020). LSZ is made from 12 traditional Chinese medicines, including Hirudo (Shuizhi), Pheretima (Dilong), Astmgali Radix (Huangqi), Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuanxiong), Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui), Carthami Flos (Honghua), Persicae Semen (Taoren), Paeoniae Radix Rubra (Chishao), Aucklandiae Radix (Muxiang), Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma (Shichangpu), Talxilli Herba (Sangjisheng), and extract of Acanthopanax Senticosus (Ciwujia), as shown in Table 1 (Wei et al, 2019).…”

TL1A inhibits atherosclerosis in apoE-deficient mice by regulating the phenotype of vascular smooth muscle cells

“…We previously reported that amelioration of hepatic lipid metabolism is a positive effect to anti-atherosclerosis (32,33). In this study, although TL1A has little effect on hypercholesterolemia in HFD-fed apoE -/mice, it reduced TG accumulation in the liver (Fig.…”