title: Inhibition of LDL oxidation and oxidized LDL-induced foam cell formation in RAW 264.7 cells show anti-atherogenic properties of a foliar methanol extract of Scoparia dulcis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Oxidation of low density lipoproteins and their further uptake by macrophages is known to result in the formation of foam cells, which are critical in the initiation of atherosclerosis through activation of inflammatory signalling cascades. Thus, powerful dietary antioxidants are receiving attention for the reversal of such pathological states.
  
  
  METHODS
  Extracts of Scoparia dulcis have been used as tea and health drinks with various health promoting effects. In the present study, we examined the reactive oxygen scavenging potential as well as anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic efficacies, using leaf extracts obtained after successive extraction with various solvents.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A methanol extract showed potent antioxidant activity with an IC50 value of 570 μg/ml, caused hydrogen peroxide scavenging (28.9 µg/ml) and anti-inflammatory effects by improving human erythrocyte membrane stabilisation (about 86%). The methanol extract also efficiently inhibited lipid peroxidation and oxidation of low density lipoproteins, thus preventing foam cell formation in cultured RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, phytochemical screening of the extracts showed high accumulation of flavonoids.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The foliar methanol extract of Scoparia dulcis has a strong anti-atherogenic potential and this property could be attributed maybe due to presence of flavonoids since HPLC analysis showed high concentrations of myricetin and rutin in the methanol extract.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Cell Biotechnology, Central Food Technological Research Institute (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research), Mysore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Sinjitha S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Nambiar
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Cell Biotechnology, Central Food Technological Research Institute (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research), Mysore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Nandini Prasad
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Shetty
authors.affiliation: Fermentation Technology and Bioengineering, Central Food Technological Research Institute (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research), Mysore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Praveena
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bhatt
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Cell Biotechnology, Central Food Technological Research Institute (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research), Mysore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Bhagyalakshmi
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Neelwarne
keywords: Anti-atherogenic; Scoparia dulcis; anti-inflammatory; flavonoids; foam cells