Open Access

Anti-atherogenic effect of Humulus japonicus in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice

  • Authors:
    • Haian Lim
    • Jung-Ran Noh
    • Yong-Hoon Kim
    • Jung Hwan Hwang
    • Kyoung-Shim Kim
    • Dong-Hee Choi
    • Min-Jeong Go
    • Sang-Seop Han
    • Won-Keun Oh
    • Chul-Ho Lee
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: September 1, 2016     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2016.2727
  • Pages: 1101-1110
  • Copyright: © Lim et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

Metrics: Total Views: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )
Total PDF Downloads: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )


Abstract

Humulus japonicus (HJ) is used as a traditional medicine in Korea owing to its multiple properties including anti-mycobacterial, antioxidant and antihypertensive effects. The present study aimed to examine the anti‑inflammatory and anti-atherogenic effects of a methanol extract of HJ. In lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, HJ significantly suppressed the mRNA expression and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6)], and the release of inflammatory mediators such as nitrite and prostaglandin E2, together with a concomitant decrease in the mRNA levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2. To examine whether HJ is capable of inhibiting experimental atherogenesis in an animal model, we randomly divided apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE-/-) mice into three groups: mice fed an atherogenic diet plus vehicle (0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose) as the control vehicle group, and mice fed an atherogenic diet plus either 100 (HJ100) or 500 mg/kg (HJ500) of HJ as the experimental groups. After 12 weeks of HJ administration, lipid accumulation and the formation of atherosclerotic lesions in the aorta (en face) and the aortic sinus markedly decreased in the HJ500 group compared with the corresponding values in the vehicle control group. Moreover, monocyte and macrophage infiltration in the aortic sinus was markedly reduced in the HJ500 group. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis of the whole aorta showed that the mRNA levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, CD68 and IL-18 were significantly decreased in the HJ500 group. Collectively, these findings suggest that HJ may suppress atherosclerosis by inhibiting lipid accumulation and the expression of pro-atherogenic factors, and it may be effective at preventing the development of atherosclerosis.
View Figures
View References

Related Articles

Journal Cover

October-2016
Volume 38 Issue 4

Print ISSN: 1107-3756
Online ISSN:1791-244X

Sign up for eToc alerts

Recommend to Library

Copy and paste a formatted citation
x
Spandidos Publications style
Lim H, Noh J, Kim Y, Hwang JH, Kim K, Choi D, Go M, Han S, Oh W, Lee C, Lee C, et al: Anti-atherogenic effect of Humulus japonicus in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice. Int J Mol Med 38: 1101-1110, 2016
APA
Lim, H., Noh, J., Kim, Y., Hwang, J.H., Kim, K., Choi, D. ... Lee, C. (2016). Anti-atherogenic effect of Humulus japonicus in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice. International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 38, 1101-1110. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2016.2727
MLA
Lim, H., Noh, J., Kim, Y., Hwang, J. H., Kim, K., Choi, D., Go, M., Han, S., Oh, W., Lee, C."Anti-atherogenic effect of Humulus japonicus in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 38.4 (2016): 1101-1110.
Chicago
Lim, H., Noh, J., Kim, Y., Hwang, J. H., Kim, K., Choi, D., Go, M., Han, S., Oh, W., Lee, C."Anti-atherogenic effect of Humulus japonicus in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 38, no. 4 (2016): 1101-1110. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2016.2727