[Antiatherogenic effect of Huajiao volatile oil on experimental atherosclerosis in guinea pigs].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the antiatherogenic effect of Chinese medicine Huajiao volatile oil and its possible mechanisms.


METHODS
Atherosclerotic guinea pig models were duplicated by feeding high lipid forage. Thirty-six guinea pigs were randomly divided into three groups: control group, model group and Huajiao volatile oil group. Common forage (control group), high lipid forage (model group) and high lipid forage adding Huajiao volatile oil 10 mg/kg (Huajiao volatile oil group) were given to each group accordingly. After fourteen weeks, all animals were killed for the determination of the serum lipids, apolipoproteins, malonyldialdehyde (MDA), hepatic and aortic cholesterol and triglyceride concentration, and the percentage of aortic lesions covering the intimal surface.


RESULTS
At the end of the 14th week, the serum lipids of model group and Huajiao volatile oil group were significantly higher than those of control group. The serum LDL level, LDL/HDL ratio, ApoB and MDA in the Huajiao volatile oil group were significantly reduced, compared with those in model group. The hepatic and aortic cholesterol and triglyceride concentration and aorta plaque area percentage of Huajiao volatile oil group were significantly lower than those of model group.


CONCLUSIONS
Huajiao volatile oil has an inhibitory effect on the development of experimental atherosclerosis lesions in guinea pigs. The mechanism may be related to regulation of lipid metabolism and antioxidation of serum lipids.
Ma
Jian-Yang
JY
Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Shi
Ying-Kang
YK
Fang
Ding-Zhi
DZ
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D011897:Random Allocation; D032106:Zanthoxylum / Q000737:chemistry*
D000975:Antioxidants; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D009822:Oils, Volatile