Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 8, 2026
Extraction and Analysis of Taiwanese Green Propolis
Published on: January 7, 2019
Ethanolic extract of propolis inhibits atherosclerosis in ApoE-knockout mice
Background:
The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects and underlying mechanism of ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) on the development of atherosclerotic lesions in ApoE-/- mice.
Methods:
Eight-week-old male ApoE-/- mice fed a high-fat diet were treated with EEP (160 mg/kg/d) or vehicle (the same dose) respectively for 14 weeks. The serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglycerides (TG) were determined by enzymatic methods. Non-HDL-C was calculated as TC minus HDL-C. Serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-17 (IL-17), endothelin (ET), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods. Nitric oxide (NO) content was measured with an enzymatic nitrate reductase assay. Analyses of atherosclerotic lesions in whole aorta and aortic root sections were performed with plaque staining using Oil Red O.
Results:
Compared with the vehicle-treated group, serum contents of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and non-HDL-C reduced significantly by 31.88%, 21.01%, and 27.11% respectively in the EEP-treated group. Administration of EEP decreased the level of IL-6 and increased the level of IL-17 in ApoE-/- mice with a high-fat diet. Compared with the vehicle-treated group,EEP significantly reduced the levels of ET and VEGF,and showed a trend to increase NO and inhibit iNOS. In the ApoE-/- mice fed a high-fat diet, EEP significantly reduced atherosclerotic lesion development in the aortic root and whole aorta.
Conclusion:
EEP can inhibit atherosclerotic lesion formation in ApoE-/- mice fed a high-fat diet possibly through modulating cholesterol, regulating inflammatory reaction,inhibiting ET and VEGF, and protecting vascular endothelial cells.
Insights
Ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) significantly reduced atherosclerotic lesions in mice by modulating cholesterol and inflammation. This suggests EEP may offer a therapeutic strategy for atherosclerosis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Pharmacology
- Natural Product Research
Background:
- Atherosclerosis is a major cause of cardiovascular disease.
- Apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE-/-) mice are a standard model for studying atherosclerosis.
- Understanding natural compounds' effects on atherosclerosis is crucial for developing new therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) on atherosclerotic lesion development.
- To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of EEP's action in ApoE-/- mice on a high-fat diet.
Main Methods:
- ApoE-/- mice were fed a high-fat diet and treated with EEP (160 mg/kg/d) or vehicle for 14 weeks.
- Serum lipid profiles (TC, HDL-C, TG, non-HDL-C) and inflammatory markers (IL-6, IL-17, ET, iNOS, VEGF, NO) were analyzed.
- Atherosclerotic lesion development was assessed in the aorta and aortic root using Oil Red O staining.
Main Results:
- EEP treatment significantly reduced serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, and non-HDL-C.
- EEP modulated inflammatory markers, decreasing IL-6, ET, and VEGF, while increasing IL-17 and showing a trend to increase NO and inhibit iNOS.
- EEP significantly inhibited atherosclerotic lesion formation in the aortic root and whole aorta.
Conclusions:
- Ethanolic extract of propolis demonstrates significant anti-atherosclerotic effects in ApoE-/- mice.
- EEP's mechanism involves cholesterol modulation, regulation of inflammatory responses, inhibition of endothelin and VEGF, and protection of vascular endothelial cells.
- EEP shows potential as a therapeutic agent for preventing and treating atherosclerosis.
