Ginsenoside Rb₁ Enhances Plaque Stability and Inhibits Adventitial Vasa Vasorum via the Modulation of miR-33 and PEDF

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Research
• Pharmacology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Atherosclerosis progression is linked to adventitial vasa vasorum (VV) proliferation, increasing plaque vulnerability.
• Understanding factors that stabilize atherosclerotic plaques is crucial for disease management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of Ginsenoside Rb1 (Rb1) on atherosclerotic plaque stabilization and adventitial VV.
• To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms involving miR-33 and Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF).

Main Methods:

• Apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE-/-) mice were fed a high-fat diet and treated with Rb1.
• Adventitial VV proliferation, inflammation, plaque burden, and stability were assessed.
• The role of miR-33 and PEDF in mediating Rb1's effects was analyzed.

Main Results:

• Rb1 treatment significantly inhibited adventitial VV proliferation, reduced inflammation, and decreased plaque burden in ApoE-/- mice.
• Rb1 treatment stabilized atherosclerotic plaques, an effect attenuated by miR-33 overexpression.
• Rb1 induced Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) expression and reduced miR-33 generation.

Conclusions:

• Ginsenoside Rb1 attenuates atherosclerotic plaque growth and enhances stability by inhibiting adventitial VV proliferation and inflammation.
• The anti-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory effects of Rb1 are mediated through the modulation of miR-33 and its target gene PEDF.