Anti-atherogenic effects of the aqueous extract of rhubarb in rats fed an atherogenic diet.
The present study was designed to investigate whether the aqueous extract of rhubarb (AR) could prevent the development of atherosclerosis through regulating vascular inflammatory processes in rats fed with an atherogenic diet. AR significantly reduced plasma low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and increased plasma high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol in rats fed with an atherogenic diet. AR inhibited vascular expressions of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE) induced in rats with an atherogenic diet. On the other hand, AR augmented the vascular expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (ecNOS) and restored vascular nitric oxide (NO) production. Furthermore, AR suppressed the elevated expression of vascular nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) p65 as well as adhesion molecules, including intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and E-selectin in rats fed with an atherogenic diet. Also, AR decreased endothelial expression of ICAM-1 and ET-1 in aorta. These results suggest that AR suppresses the development of atherosclerosis in the atherogenic-diet rat model through inhibiting vascular expressions of proinflammatory and adhesion molecules via the regulation of nitric oxide and endothelin system.
Professional Graduate School of Oriental Medicine, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Jeonbuk, 570-749, Republic of Korea.
Mi Kyoung
MK
Moon
Dae Gill
DG
Kang
An Sook
AS
Lee
Ki Bok
KB
Yeom
Jin Sook
JS
Kim
Ho Sub
HS
Lee
D000818:Animals; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D016282:Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D004036:Diet, Atherogenic; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D000072396:Endothelin-Converting Enzymes; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012250:Rheum
D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D019332:Endothelin-1; D016328:NF-kappa B; D010936:Plant Extracts; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; D016282:Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; D000072396:Endothelin-Converting Enzymes