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Updated: Apr 28, 2026
Quantitative Analysis and Characterization of Atherosclerotic Lesions in the Murine Aortic Sinus
Published on: December 7, 2013
Notoginsenoside R1 attenuates atherosclerotic lesions in ApoE deficient mouse model
Chenglin Jia1, Minqi Xiong1, Peiwei Wang2
1Yueyang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Aims:
Atherosclerosis is the primary cause of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. The current study evaluated the interventional effects of a naturally occurring compound Notoginsenoside R1 (NR1) on atherosclerosis in ApoE-/- mice.
Methods And Results:
The atherosclerotic lesion was significantly alleviated by NR1 treatment and this attenuation was marked by reduction in lipid deposition, fibrosis and oxidative stress. Increased serum levels of GSH and SOD and decreased level of MDH were observed in NR1-treated ApoE-/- mice. NR1 treatment also significantly decreased the levels of CHO, TG, ox-LDL and increased the level of HDL. Additionally, the levels of inflammatory cytokines including IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α and γ-IFN were markedly reduced in NR1-treated ApoE-/- mice. Furthermore, significantly increased aortic expression of miR-26a, miR-21, miR-126a, miR-132, miR-146 and miR-155 and decreased expression of miR-20a and miR-92a were observed in the vehicle-treated ApoE-/- mice. While NR1 treatment led to a significant reduction in the expression of miR-21, miR-26a, miR-126 and increased expression of miR-20a.
Conclusion:
Collectively, our results demonstrated for the first time the anti-atherosclerotic effects of NR1, which could be in part mediated through its multiple targeting effects on inflammation, oxidative stress, lipid metabolism and microRNA expression. These results therefore justify further evaluation of NR1 as a therapeutic agent treating atherosclerosis.
Insights
Notoginsenoside R1 (NR1) significantly alleviates atherosclerosis in ApoE-/- mice by reducing lipid deposition, inflammation, and oxidative stress. This natural compound shows promise as a therapeutic agent for cardiovascular diseases.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Pharmacology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Atherosclerosis is a leading cause of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
- Identifying novel therapeutic agents is crucial for managing atherosclerosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the interventional effects of Notoginsenoside R1 (NR1) on atherosclerosis.
- To investigate the mechanisms underlying NR1's effects in ApoE-/- mice.
Main Methods:
- Atherosclerosis was induced in ApoE-/- mice.
- Mice were treated with NR1 or vehicle.
- Biochemical markers, lipid profiles, inflammatory cytokines, and microRNA expression were analyzed.
Main Results:
- NR1 treatment significantly reduced atherosclerotic lesions, lipid deposition, fibrosis, and oxidative stress.
- NR1 modulated serum lipid profiles (decreased CHO, TG, ox-LDL; increased HDL) and antioxidant enzyme levels (increased GSH, SOD; decreased MDH).
- NR1 suppressed inflammatory cytokines (IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α, γ-IFN) and altered microRNA expression (decreased miR-21, miR-26a, miR-126; increased miR-20a).
Conclusions:
- NR1 exhibits significant anti-atherosclerotic effects in ApoE-/- mice.
- These effects are mediated through multiple pathways including inflammation, oxidative stress, lipid metabolism, and microRNA regulation.
- NR1 warrants further investigation as a potential therapeutic agent for atherosclerosis.
