Combination of spices and herbal extract restores macrophage foam cell migration and abrogates the athero-inflammatory signalling cascade of atherogenesis
Abstract
The
trapping of lipid-laden macrophages in the arterial intima is a
critical but reversible step in atherogenesis. However, information
about possible treatments for this condition is lacking. Here, we
hypothesized that combining the polyphenol-rich fractions (PHC) of
commonly consumed spices (Allium sativum L (Liliaceae), Zingiber officinale R (Zingiberaceae), Curcuma longa L (Zingiberaceae)) and herbs (Terminalia arjuna (R) W & A (Combretaceae) and Cyperus rotundus L (Cyperaceae)) prevents foam cell formation and atherogenesis. Using an in vitro
foam cell formation assay, we found that PHC significantly inhibited
lipid-laden macrophage foam cell formation compared to the depleted
polyphenol fraction of PHC (F-PHC). We further observed that PHC
attenuated the LDL and LPS induced CD36, p-FAK and PPAR-γ protein
expression in macrophages and increased their migration. NK-κB-DNA
interaction, TNF-α, ROS generation, and MMP9 and MMP2 protein expression
were suppressed in PHC-treated macrophages. The anti-atherosclerotic
activity of PHC was investigated in a high fat- and cholesterol-fed
rabbit model. The inhibition of foam cell deposition within the aortic
intima and atheroma formation confirmed the atheroprotective activity of
PHC. Therefore, we conclude that the armoury of polyphenols in PHC
attenuates the CD36 signalling cascade-mediated foam cell formation,
enhances the migration of these cells and prevents atherogenesis.
Graphical abstract
Key words
- Allium sativum;
- Terminalia arjuna;
- anti-atherosclerotic;
- macrophages foam cell;
- Polyphenols
- Corresponding author at: FDTRC, NIN (ICMR), Jamai Osmania, Hyderabad 500 007, India. Tel.:
+ 91 40 27197322; fax: + 91 40 27019074.
Copyright © 2015 Published by Elsevier Inc.
