AUTHOR=Wang Ke , Zhang Beibei , Song Dingzhong , Xi Jianqiang , Hao Wusi , Yuan Jie , Gao Chenyu , Cui Zhongbao , Cheng Zhihong TITLE=Alisol A Alleviates Arterial Plaque by Activating AMPK/SIRT1 Signaling Pathway in apoE-Deficient Mice JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pharmacology VOLUME=11 YEAR=2020 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2020.580073 DOI=10.3389/fphar.2020.580073 ISSN=1663-9812 ABSTRACT=

Alismatis Rhizoma (zexie), an herb used in traditional Chinese medicine, exhibits hypolipemic, anti-inflammation and anti-atherosclerotic activities. Alisol A is one of the main active ingredients in Alismatis Rhizoma extract. In this study, we investigate the role of alisol A in anti-atherosclerosis (AS). Our study demonstrated that alisol A can effectively inhibit the formation of arterial plaques and blocked the progression of AS in ApoE−/− mice fed with high-fat diet and significantly reduced the expression of inflammatory cytokins in aorta, including ICAM-1, IL-6, and MMP-9. In addition, we found that alisol A increased the expression of PPARα and PPARδ proteins in HepG2 cells and in liver tissue from ApoE−/− mice. Alisol A activated the AMPK/SIRT1 signaling pathway and NF-κB inhibitor IκBα in HepG2 cells. Our results suggested that alisol A is a multi-targeted agent that exerts anti-atherosclerotic action by regulating lipid metabolism and inhibiting inflammatory cytokine production. Therefore, alisol could be a promising lead compound to develop drugs for the treatment of AS.