[Study on the effect of rhizoma Chuanxiong, radix paeoniae rubra and the compound of their active ingredients, Xiongshao Capsule, on stability of atherosclerotic plaque in ApoE(-/-) mice].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the effect of Rhizoma chuanxiong (RC), Radix Paeoniae rubra (RP) and Xiongshao Capsule (XC, a compound of their active ingredients, Chuanxingols and Paeoniflorins) on stability of atherosclerotic plaque in ApoE-/- mice and to explore the probable mechanisms.


METHODS
The effect of RC, RP and XC in stabilizing atherosclerotic plaque, in terms of pathologic morphology, cell composition and inflammatory reaction, in the atherosclerosis model established on ApoE-/- mice was studied by using optical microscope, immunohistochemical method and computerized imaging analysis respectively.


RESULTS
After the ApoE-/- mice being fed with high fat diet for 26 weeks, obvious atherosclerotic lesion with typical unstable characteristics was found in their aortic root. Both RC and RP had certain effects in lowering total cholesterol and increasing the thickness of fibre cap. RC could also lower the serum triglyceride (TC) level and the lipid-core/plaque area ratio as well as reduce the macrocytic infiltration. In addition to the same effects as above mentioned, XS could also raise the levels of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), lower TC/HDL-C ratio, reduce inflammatory reaction and enlarge the collagen area in plaque.


CONCLUSIONS
The acting links of RC and RP on atherosclerosis are different, the compound of their active ingredients, XS, shows a more evident effect in intervening unstable plaque. It demonstrates the effect-enhancing power of TCM compound and is worth further studying.
Xu
Hao
H
National Integrative Medicine Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing. xuhao2005@yahoo.com.cn
Wen
Chuan
C
Chen
Ke-Ji
KJ
D000818:Animals; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D030004:Ligusticum; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D029596:Paeonia / Q000737:chemistry*; D011897:Random Allocation
D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D008055:Lipids; C101574:chuangxiong extract