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OBJECTIVE Coptis Chinensis, a Chinese herbal medicine, has been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for a long time.Berberine, the main alkaloid of Coptis Chinensis, has been recently shown to possess extensive cardiovascular pharmacological activities.In present study, we examined the effects of Berberine on aortic atherosclerosis in Apolipoprotein E gene knockout mice (ApoE-/-) and explored the potential underlying mechanisms.METHODS 30 ApoE-/-mice, fed a high fat diet from 6 weeks of age, were randomized into three groups (n=10): model group (ApoE-/-gourp), Berbrine group (ApoE-/-+Berbrine group) and Simvastatin group (ApoE-/-+Simvastatin group).10 6-week-old C57BL/6 were treated as the control group, fed a basic diet.After 36 weeks, we sacrificed the mice for various measurements with EUSA, Western blot and Real-time PCR.RESULTS The results showed that treatment with Berberine significantly reduced blood lipid.Berbrine has the effect of anti-proliferation of Smooth Muscle Cells.It could reduce the level of Hs-CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α in plasma.And it could reduce protein and mRNA expression of NF-KB and MMP-9 in aorta.There is no significant difference between the effects of Berberine and Simvastatin group.CONCLUSIONS Berberine has the effect of anti-atherosclerosis and anti-inflammation in ApoE-/-mice.Our data have provided some experimental evidences to use Berberine in prevention and cure of atherosclerosis.