The anti-atherosclerotic effects of puerarin on induced-atherosclerosis in rabbits

Abstract

Background. Cardiovascular disease is a major health issue worldwide, which has been well treated by the extracts of traditional herbs. Radix Puerariae, the dried root of the leguminous plant Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi, is a delicious vegetable in some southern provinces of China. Puerarin has also been widely used to treat human diseases, but few controlled studies are available. Aim. To determine the anti-atherosclerotic effects of puerarin on fat diet-induced atherosclerosis (AS) in rabbits.Methods. An AS model was established by feeding 60 rabbits a high-fat diet and randomly dividing them into 6 groups: (1) normal control, (2) a model group (3) the statin, simvastatin and groups (4), (5) and (6) received 3 different amounts of puerarin. The fasting sera of all animals were collected before and after 90 days treatment to determine the levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and high density lipoproteincholesterol (HDL-C). The aortas were pathomorphologically examined. PCNA and PDGF-A protein levels were assessed by Western blot. Results. On the 90th day, the levels of TC, TG and LDL-C were significantly lower in high-and middle-dose puerarin groups and simvastatin group than in the model group (P<0.05), and the HDL-C level was higher. The percentages of plaque area to the total aortic area differed significantly for high-and middle-dose puerarin groups, simvastatin group and model group (P<0.05). Whole blood viscosity increased in the high-fat diet groups, while those in the treatment groups (except for the low-dose puerarin group) were significantly lower than those in the model group (P<0.05). PCNA and PDGF-A protein expression levels of rabbit aorta were low in the normal group. Protein expression levels in the groups fed the high-fat diet were significantly increased (P<0.05), but those in the high-dose puerarin group and simvastatin group were significantly decreased compared with the model group (P<0.05). Conclusions. Puerarin inhibits the formation and development of AS plaque and suppresses the migration and reproduction of vascular smooth muscle cells by decreasing PCNA and PDGF-A expressions in the rabbit. This is encouraging in terms of cardiovascular disease prevention/treatment.

Targeting Foam Cell Formation in Atherosclerosis: Therapeutic Potential of Natural Products

“…Puerarin is present in the roots of Pueraria (Radix puerariae). Due to positive action on dilating coronary artery, protecting ischemic myocardium, resisting myocardial ischemia and re-injury, and preventing atherosclerosis (Bao et al, 2015), puerarin has been extensively studied for the treatment of CVD. It is demonstrated that puerarin (25, 50, and 100 mg/ml) decreased the cellular lipid accumulation in THP-1 macrophages by promoting ABCA1-mediated cholesterol efflux through pathways involving miRNA-7, serine/threonine kinase 11 (STK11), and the AMPactivated protein kinase (AMPK)-PPARg-LXRa-ABCA1 cascade .…”

Puerarin inhibits vascular smooth muscle cells proliferation induced by fine particulate matter via suppressing of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway

“…Ohwi which is an edible vegetable in China, has been widely used for the treatment of CVD, diabetes, osteonecrosis and neurodegradation diseases [ 10 ]. Puerarin plays a positive role in improving immunity, dilating blood vessels, enhancing myocardial contractility, boosting microcirculation, lowering blood pressure, and protection myocardial cell [ 11 ]. Furthermore, several reports have suggested that puerarin possesses protective effects in atherosclerosis, its biological activities may be related to anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hypercholesterolemic properties [ 12 , 13 ].…”

Puerarin protects vascular smooth muscle cells from oxidized low‑density lipoprotein‑induced reductions in viability via inhibition of the p38 MAPK and JNK signaling pathways

“…Puerarin, a major isoflavone isolated from the root of Pueraria lobata, has been reported to treat various cardiovascular diseases, including arterial hypertension, angina, myocardial infarction and arrhythmia (26)(27)(28). Puerarin has anti-atherosclerotic activity in diet-induced atherosclerosis in rabbits and rats (17,18). Puerarin prevents the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, which may be mediated by its anti-inflammatory and antioxidative stress actions (28,29).…”

“…Moreover, puerarin has been reported to display various pharmacological properties, including anti-oxidative (13), anti-inflammatory (14), antitumor (15), anti-hypercholesterolemic (9), anti-hyperglycemic (16) and anti-hypertensive activities (13). Furthermore, puerarin has been reported to have beneficial effects in the treatment of atherosclerosis (12,17,18). However, the role and mechanism underlying puerarin activity on oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-stimulated VSMCs has not been previously reported.…”