Ultrasonicated Lespedeza cuneata extract prevents TNF-α-induced early atherosclerosis in vitro and in vivo

Food Funct. 2018 Apr 25;9(4):2090-2101. doi: 10.1039/c7fo01666b.

Abstract

This study evaluated the use of ultrasonication to extract Lespedeza cuneata as a potential nutraceutical for preventing vascular inflammation. Ultrasonicated L. cuneata extract (ULCE) was prepared using 20% ethanol and 2 h of ultrasonication at room temperature, and its effects were investigated using relevant in vitro and in vivo models. ULCE suppressed tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-induced adhesion capacity, vascular cell adhesion protein 1 (VCAM-1) expression, and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) activity in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). ULCE also suppressed TNF-α-induced NF-κB signaling pathways and p65 translocation from the cytosol to the nucleus, as well as the mRNA expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in HUVECs. Oral administration of ULCE suppressed TNF-α-induced monocyte infiltration into the intima and VCAM-1 expression, as well as the IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) mRNA expression in the main artery in mice. Among the compounds identified in the hydrolyzed ULCE, quercetin exhibited the strongest inhibitory effect against TNF-α-induced cell adhesion capacity. These results demonstrate that ULCE contains potent preventive factors against early atherosclerosis, which act by suppressing the NF-κB and VCAM-1 signaling axis.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use*
  • Atherosclerosis / chemically induced
  • Atherosclerosis / prevention & control*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Endothelium, Vascular / drug effects
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Lespedeza / chemistry*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Monocytes / drug effects
  • Phytotherapy
  • Plant Extracts / administration & dosage
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Plant Extracts
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha