Shenlian extract improves atherosclerosis by relieving adventitial inflammation.

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Research
• Inflammation Biology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Shenlian (SL) extract, derived from Salvia miltiorrhizae and Andrographis paniculata, targets inflammation in atherosclerosis.
• Existing research links the anti-atherosclerotic effects of SL components to inflammation, but adventitial inflammation's role remains understudied.
• This study investigates SL extract's potential to mitigate atherosclerosis by addressing adventitial inflammation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the role of adventitial inflammation in atherosclerosis progression.
• To determine if Shenlian (SL) extract can reverse atherosclerosis development mediated by adventitial inflammation.

Main Methods:

• A novel mouse model of atherosclerosis was created using LPS-soaked threads on the carotid artery in ApoE-/- mice.
• Dynamic evaluation of vascular adventitial fibroblast (VAF) phenotype, proliferation, and collagen synthesis was performed at weeks 2, 4, and 12.
• In vitro studies assessed VAF responses to LPS and co-culture effects on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).

Main Results:

• SL extract significantly reduced lipid content, adventitial inflammation, and plaque formation in the atherosclerosis model.
• SL extract reversed LPS-induced VAF phenotypic transformation, proliferation, migration, and inflammatory secretion in vivo and in vitro.
• SL extract suppressed VSMC phenotypic transformation and migration, likely via the JAK2-STAT3-MMP2 pathway.

Conclusions:

• Adventitial inflammation acts as an 'outside-in' signal, accelerating atherosclerotic plaque formation and vascular lesion severity.
• SL extract ameliorates atherosclerosis by alleviating adventitial inflammation.
• The therapeutic mechanism involves inhibiting VAF and VSMC phenotypic transformation, proliferation, and migration.