chrysin and Hypercholesterolemia

Chrysin (Chy) is known for various biological proprieties such as inhibitory effects on inflammation, cancer, oxidative stress, aging, and atherosclerosis. However, the hypolipidemic activity of Chy and its mechanistic action remains unclear in cardiovascular diseases (CVD). In this study, we focused on the hypolipidemic proprieties of Chy in hypercholesterolemia-induced atherosclerosis. Male Wistar rats (150-220 g) were divided into four groups as follows: Group I control was fed with standard laboratory chow. Rats in Group II were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 60 days. After 60 days of HFD, Group III rats received Chy (100 mg/kg body weight); Group IV rats received Atorvastatin (Atv; 10 mg/kg body weight) for 30 days. Biochemical studies showed Chy, Atv treatment decreased the activities of liver marker enzymes and the levels of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and lipid profile. Gene expression analysis on nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and its regulated genes were significantly reduced in the intestine and increased in the aorta by Chy and Atv. Gut microbial species such as Bacteroidetes, Lactobacillus, Enterococcus, and Clostridium leptum copy numbers were significantly increased by Chy and Atv treatment. In addition, Chy and Atv modulated the expression of inflammatory genes including TLR4, TNFα, NLRP3, and IL-17 in the aorta and intestine compared with hypercholesterolemic control rats. Chy and Atv effectively increased the caspase-3 mRNA expression in the intestine, but these decreased in the aorta. The present study concludes that by reducing oxidative stress and increasing gut microbial colonization, Chy may provide an effective therapeutic approach for the prevention of hypercholesterolemia-mediated atherosclerosis. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Our study focused on a therapeutic model representing the clinical presentation of atherosclerosis in humans. Statins are commonly used in the treatment of cardiovascular complications, patients with hypercholesterolemia face difficulties in the continuation of statin therapy. The reason for statin discontinuation has been associated with toxicological effects. It is necessary to investigate the potentiality of the natural compound as an alternative medicine to statin with fewer side effects. The main theme of our study is to compare the therapeutic potential of Chy and Atv. Chy is a natural bioflavonoid that could be considered as an alternative medicinal compound to statins and to avoid tox

Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; Atherosclerosis; Body Weight; Flavonoids; Humans; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Hypercholesterolemia; Male; Oxidative Stress; Rats; Rats, Wistar

Advanced age is a major risk factor for metabolic disorders. Accelerated inflammatory processes with increased age can contribute to the pathogenesis of metabolic disturbances. Chrysin is a natural flavonoid ingredient of honey and propolis. Chrysin has been effective in decreasing cholesterol and glucose levels preventing metabolic disturbances. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of chrysin against age-associated inflammation, hyperglycemia, and hypercholesterolemia. Male Wistar rats (2, 10, and 20 month-old) were intraperitoneally (i.p.) injected with chrysin (20 mg/kg) for 30 days. The findings showed elevated inflammatory cytokines, glucose, and lipid parameters in the sera of aged rats when compared with young ones. However, chrysin treatment ameliorated these alterations. Furthermore, chrysin reduced the levels of adiponectin, HDL-C, and insulin in 20 month-old rats. The current study showed that chrysin was effective in attenuating age-related lipid abnormalities, glucose elevation, and inflammation.

Topics: Aging; Animals; Antioxidants; Cholesterol; Cytokines; Flavonoids; Hypercholesterolemia; Inflammation; Male; Metabolic Diseases; Rats; Rats, Wistar

Hypercholesterolemia and oxidative stress are known to accelerate coronary artery disease and progression of atherosclerotic lesions. In the present study, an attempt was made to evaluate the putative antihypercholesterolemic and antioxidative effects of an ethanolic extract of the oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) and chrysin, one of its major components, in hypercholesterolemic rats. Hypercholesterolemia was induced in rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of Triton WR-1339 (300 mg/kg body weight (b.wt.)), which resulted in persistently elevated blood/serum levels of glucose, lipid profile parameters (total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein-, and very low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol), and of hepatic marker enzymes (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase). In addition, lowered mean activities of hepatic antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase) and lowered mean levels of nonenzymatic antioxidants (reduced glutathione, vitamin C, and vitamin E) were observed. Oral administration of the mushroom extract (500 mg/kg b.wt.) and chrysin (200 mg/kg b.wt.) to hypercholesterolemic rats for 7 days resulted in a significant decrease in mean blood/serum levels of glucose, lipid profile parameters, and hepatic marker enzymes and a concomitant increase in enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant parameters. The hypercholesterolemia-ameliorating effect was more pronounced in chrysin-treated rats than in extract-treated rats, being almost as effective as that of the standard lipid-lowering drug, lovastatin (10 mg/kg b.wt.). These results suggest that chrysin, a major component of the oyster mushroom extract, may protect against the hypercholesterolemia and elevated serum hepatic marker enzyme levels induced in rats injected with Triton WR-1339.

Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Cholesterol; Flavonoids; Hypercholesterolemia; Hypolipidemic Agents; Lipoproteins, LDL; Male; Pleurotus; Polyethylene Glycols; Rats; Rats, Wistar