Objective: Inflammation plays a critical role in atherosclerosis, and this inflammatory reaction is being intensively studied. Shenlian Extracts (参莲提取物), an active ingredient of Chinese medicinal herbs, is believed to have multiple therapeutic and preventive effects against human vascular diseases, including atherosclerosis. Our work investigated whether Shenlian Extracts serves as an anti-inflammatory agent during atherogenesis. Methods: We established a model of atherosclerosis in rabbits using balloon angioplasty and a high cholesterol diet. The effects of Shenlian Extracts on vessel structure and inflammation were assessed by hematoxylin-eosin staining of the femoral artery, measurement of inflammation-related factors in serum or vascular tissue, and radioimmunoassay. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), flow cytometry and western blots were also performed. Results: We show that oral pre-treatment with Shenlian Extracts suppressed the pathological changes associated with atherosclerosis and that graded doses of Shenlian Extracts reduced total serum levels of cholesterol (90, 180 and 360 mg/kg), triglyceride (180 and 360 mg/kg), and LDL-c (90, 180 mg/kg). Various doses of Shenlian Extracts reduced serum content of TNF-α (180 and 360 mg/kg), CRP (90, 180 and 360 mg/kg) and IL-8 (360 mg/kg) (P<0.05), but led to no significant changes in IL-1β levels. Treatment with Shenlian Extracts also significantly reduced VCAM-1 levels (90 and 360 mg/kg) and IGF-1 levels (90 and 180 mg/kg) in vascular tissue but had no significant effect on ICAM-1 and MCP-1 levels. Finally, Shenlian Extracts significantly reduced the abnormal expression of CD18 in monocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: These results suggest that Shenlian Extracts may play a direct role in preventing and treating atherogenesis by inhibiting the inflammatory reaction, providing insights into the possible mechanism underlying the anti-atherosclerotic actions of Shenlian Extracts.
