Abstract:

The effect of Panax notoginseng (PNS) on blood lipids and expression of aorta vascular cell adhesion moleculel of experimental atherosclerotic rats was studied. Atherosclerotic rats were replicated by administration of excessive vitamin D3 followed by feeding a highcholesterol diet. Experimental rats were divided into normal control group, model group, PNS low dosage group, PNS high dosage group, and simvastatin group. After treatment for 4 weeks, cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDLc), high density lipoprotein (HDLc), malondialdehyde (MDA) level and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) were detected. Aorta alteration of tissue morphology was observed by HematoxylinEosin staining. Half-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect VCAM-1 gene expression in artery vessel. High and lowdosages of PNS were significantly reduce serum TC, TG, LDLc and MDA levels, elevate HDLc and SOD activity in atherosclerotic rats (P<0.01 or P<0.05). The histopathological observation of aortic arch showed alleviation of atherosclerotic damage by PNS. VCAM1 mRNA expression was significantly inhibited by PNS (P<0.01). PNS can regulate down the gene expression of VCAM-1 in artery vessels of experimental atherosclerotic rats, which may account for the antiatherosclerosis effects of PNS.

Key words: Panax notoginseng(PNS); atherosclerosis; vascular cell adhesion molecule-1