AUTHOR=Duan Huxinyue , Song Pan , Li Ruolan , Su Hong , He Lisha 

TITLE=Attenuating lipid metabolism in atherosclerosis: The potential role of Anti-oxidative effects on low-density lipoprotein of herbal medicines

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pharmacology

VOLUME=Volume 14 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2023.1161657

DOI=10.3389/fphar.2023.1161657

ISSN=1663-9812

ABSTRACT=Atherosclerosis (AS) is a multifactorial chronic disease with great harm, which is a basic pathogenesis of many cardiovascular diseases and ultimately endangers human life. Abnormal blood lipid level is one of the most common diagnostic indicators of AS used in clinic, and a lipid metabolism disorder is often observed in patients with AS. Cholesterol is an important lipid in the human body, which is of great significance for maintaining normal life activities. Generally, cholesterol is transported to peripheral tissues by low density lipoprotein (LDL), and then transported to the liver by high density lipoprotein via its cholesterol reverse transport function, and finally discharged. In the oxidative stress condition, LDL is oxidized to form ox-LDL, which is ingested by macrophages in large quantities and further forms foam cells, disrupting the normal metabolic process of cholesterol. In addition, foam cells are involved in forming atherosclerotic plaques, whose rupture may lead to ischemic heart disease or stroke. Furthermore, ox-LDL promotes the development of AS by damaging vascular endothelium, promoting the migration and proliferation of smooth muscle cells, and activating platelets. Therefore, inhibiting LDL oxidation may be an effective measure to improve lipid metabolism and prevent AS. In recent years, more and more reports have shown that herbal medicines have great potential in inhibiting LDL oxidation and reducing ox-LDL-induced foam cell formation. Accordingly, this paper reviewed current research on the inhibition effects of herbal medicines on LDL oxidation and foam cell formation, and made a brief description of the role of cholesterol and LDL in lipid metabolism disorder and AS pathogenesis. As a result, it was summarized that herbal medicines inhibited LDL oxidation and regulated cholesterol homeostasis by down-regulating the expression of CD36 and SR-A, while up-regulating the expression of ABCA1 and ABCG1.