HMCO5, herbal extract, inhibits NF-κB expression in lipopolysaccharide treated macrophages and reduces atherosclerotic lesions in cholesterol fed mice

HMCO5 is a herbal extract which comprises of eight different herbs. We studied whether this extract has anti-atherosclerotic effects. In lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated RAW264.7 cells, HMCO5 inhibited NF-kappa B activation as well as NOS promoter activity, inhibited the secretion of TNF-alpha. and IL-1 beta, and directly inhibited the intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species. ApoE knock-out mice fed a high-fat high-cholesterol diet with HMCO05 for 10 weeks showed a significant reduction in atherosclerotic lesions. A notable finding was the preservation of the smooth muscle cell layer in the media of aorta in the HMCO5 co-treated mice. HMCO5 treated mice did not show significant decrease in serum level of cholesterol. These results suggest that HMC05 has anti-atherosclerotic effects which in part may be attributable to the inhibition of production of NF-kappa B dependent pro-inflammatory cytokines. (c) 2007 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.