Mechanisms
A purple perilla extract lowers plasma CETP and reduces atheroma formation in apoE-deficient mice (Nutr Res Pract 2023)
Original title: Purple perilla frutescens extracts containing α-asarone inhibit inflammatory atheroma formation and promote hepatic HDL cholesterol uptake in dyslipidemic apoE-deficient mice
Purple perilla frutescens extract (PPE) and its constituent alpha-asarone were tested for effects on dyslipidaemia-associated inflammation and atheroma formation in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice fed a Paigen's high-cholesterol diet and orally dosed with 10 to 20 mg/kg PPE or alpha-asarone for 10 weeks. Both PPE and alpha-asarone improved plasma lipid profiles, significantly lowering LDL and VLDL cholesterol despite only a small HDL cholesterol rise, reduced systemic inflammation, and suppressed aortic atheroma formation and macrophage accumulation induced by the atherogenic diet. Treatment also produced a significant decrease in plasma CETP level alongside an increase in lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase, and enhanced hepatic transcription of apoA1 and SR-B1, indicating alpha-asarone in PPE inhibits atheroma formation partly by promoting hepatic HDL cholesterol trafficking while lowering CETP.
Original abstract
Background/Objectives: Dyslipidemia causes metabolic disorders such as atherosclerosis and fatty liver syndrome due to abnormally high blood lipids. Purple perilla frutescens extract (PPE) possesses various bioactive compounds such as α-asarone, chlorogenic acid and rosmarinic acid. This study examined whether PPE and α-asarone improved dyslipidemia-associated inflammation and inhibited atheroma formation in apolipoprotein E (apoE)-deficient mice, an experimental animal model of atherosclerosis.
Materials/Methods: ApoE-deficient mice were fed on high cholesterol-diet (Paigen's diet) and orally administrated with 10-20 mg/kg PPE and α-asarone for 10 wk.
Results: The Paigen's diet reduced body weight gain in apoE-deficient mice, which was not restored by PPE or α-asarone. PPE or α-asarone improved the plasma lipid profiles in Paigen's diet-fed apoE-deficient mice, and despite a small increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, and very LDL were significantly reduced. Paigen's diet-induced systemic inflammation was reduced in PPE or α-asarone-treated apoE-deficient mice. Supplying PPE or α-asarone to mice lacking apoE suppressed aorta atherogenesis induced by atherogenic diet. PPE or α-asarone diminished aorta accumulation of CD68- and/or F4/80-positive macrophages induced by atherogenic diet in apoE-deficient mice. Treatment of apoE-deficient mice with PPE and α-asarone resulted in a significant decrease in plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein level and an increase in lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase reduced by supply of Paigen's diet. Supplementation of PPE and α-asarone enhanced the transcription of hepatic apoA1 and SR-B1 reduced by Paigen's diet in apoE-deficient mice.
Conclusions: α-Asarone in PPE inhibited inflammation-associated atheroma formation and promoted hepatic HDL-C trafficking in dyslipidemic mice.
Summary written by cetpinhibition.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 19 August 2026. Methods.