title: Chinese yam extracts containing β-sitosterol and ethyl linoleate protect against atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice and inhibit muscular expression of VCAM-1 in vitro.
abstract: Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease, which is associated with increased expression of adhesion molecules and monocyte recruitment into the arterial wall. This study evaluated whether hexane extracts from the edible part (DB-H1) or bark region (DB-H2) of Dioscorea. batatas Decne have anti-atherosclerotic properties in vivo and in vitro experiments. We also identified bioactive components in the hexane extracts. Thirty-six apolipoprotein E (ApoE(-/-) ) mice and 12 control (C57BL/6J) mice were given a Western-type diet for 11 or 21 wk. To examine the effects of yam extracts on lesion development, ApoE(-/-) mice were orally administered DB-H1 or DB-H2 for the duration of the study (200 mg/kg b.w./day, 3 times per wk). Both DB-H1 and DB-H2 significantly reduced the total atherosclerotic lesion area in the aortic root. In addition, plasma concentrations of total cholesterol, oxidized-low-density lipoprotein, and c-reactive protein were decreased by administration of DB-H1 and DB-H2. Consistent with the in vivo observations, DB-H1 and DB-H2 inhibited tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-induced vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 expression and adhesion of THP-1 monocytes to TNF-α-activated vascular smooth muscle cells. It was also found that treatment with DB-H1 or DB-H2 resulted in the inhibition nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species production and iNOS expression in macrophages. Thus, DB-H1 and DB-H2 seem to influence atherosclerosis by affecting the production of inflammatory mediators in vivo. Our results suggest that yam extracts have the potential to be used in the prevention of atherosclerosis.
authors.affiliation: Div. of Immunopharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan Univ, Suwon, Gyunggi-do, 440-746, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun Jung
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Koo
authors.forename: Hye Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Hye Eun
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Byeon
authors.forename: Jong Hwan
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kwak
authors.forename: Sung Hee
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Um
authors.forename: Soon Tae
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: Dong Kwon
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Rhee
authors.forename: Suhkneung
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pyo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000473:pathology; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000172:deficiency; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D027742:Dioscorea / Q000737:chemistry*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D008041:Linoleic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000378:metabolism; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009000:Monocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D012855:Sitosterols / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D008041:Linoleic Acids; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D010936:Plant Extracts; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D012855:Sitosterols; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; C099252:oxidized low density lipoprotein; C025473:gamma-sitosterol; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; C007678:ethyl linoleate
keywords: VCAM-1; anti-atherogenic effect; dioscorea batatas decne; ethyl linoleate; β-sitosterol