摘要

Objective: To investigate the antiatherogenic effect of Chinese medicine Huajiao volatile oil and its possible mechanisms. Methods: Atherosclerotic guinea pig models were duplicated by feeding high lipid forage. Thirty-six guinea pigs were randomly divided into three groups: control group, model group and Huajiao volatile oil group. Common forage (control group), high lipid forage (model group) and high lipid forage adding Huajiao volatile oil 10 mg/kg (Huajiao volatile oil group) were given to each group accordingly. After fourteen weeks, all animals were killed for the determination of the serum lipids, apolipoproteins, malonyldialdehyde (MDA), hepatic and aortic cholesterol and triglyceride concentration, and the percentage of aortic lesions covering the intimal surface. Results: At the end of the 14th week, the serum lipids of model group and Huajiao volatile oil group were significantly higher than those of control group. The serum LDL level, LDL/HDL ratio, ApoB and MDA in the Huajiao volatile oil group were significantly reduced, compared with those in model group. The hepatic and aortic cholesterol and triglyceride concentration and aorta plaque area percentage of Huajiao volatile oil group were significantly lower than those of model group. Conclusion: Huajiao volatile oil has an inhibitory effect on the development of experimental atherosclerosis lesions in guinea pigs. The mechanism may be related to regulation of lipid metabolism and antioxidation of serum lipids.