OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect and possible mechanism of gypenoside (GP) on expression of inflammatory factors in aortic lesion of rats with high-fat induced atherosclerosis.

METHODSAtherosclerotic rat model was established by feeding high-fat diet and intraperitoneal injection of vitamin D3. Sixty healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into the normal group, the model group, the simvastatin treated group and the three GP groups treated respectively with different dosages of GP. Rats were sacrificed 7 weeks later, their histopathological changes in thoracic aorta were observed by light microscope; expressions of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and nuclear factor-kappaBp65 (NF-kappaBp65) in aortic wall were detected by immunohistochemistry; serum level of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) was determined by ELISA; serum total antioxidant capacity determined by colorimetry, and serum malondialdehyde (MDA) level determined by Thiobarbituric acid method.

RESULTSIn comparing with the model group, GPS showed actions in lessening the atherosclerosis lesion; reducing expressions of ICAM-1, MCP-1 and NF-kappaBp65 in aortic wall (P<0.01) and serum levels of MDA, ox-LDL (P < 0.01), as well as increasing the serum level of total antioxidant capacity (P < 0.01 ).

CONCLUSIONGP can down-regulate the expressions of ICAM-1 and MCP-1, inhibit the atherosclerosis formation in experimental rats, its mechanism might be related with its anti-oxidation effect and further inhibiting on the NF-kappaB activation.