Thelenota ananas saponin extracts attenuate the atherosclerosis in apoE−/− mice by modulating lipid metabolism

As one of the most nutrient-rich marine species, Thelenota ananas has various effects, but its antiatherosclerosis activity has yet to be plumbed in depths. In this work, T. ananas saponin extracts were used to assess the effect on atherosclerosis development in the apoE−/− mice. In detail, the saponin treated groups clearly showed an inhibitory effect on the size of aortic atheromatous plaque, and the levels of serum lipid and inflammatory cytokines compared with the atherosclerosis model mice. Interestingly, the saponin extracts decreased the lipid profiles and oxidation in the visceral fat, and markedly altered the expressions of key proteins related to lipid synthesis and inflammation in the liver. Furthermore, saponin extracts promoted the diversity of the fecal bacterial colonies which has a close correlation with lipid metabolism. The results above revealed that T. ananas saponin extracts may be a beneficial natural resource for the prevention of atherosclerosis by modulating lipid metabolism.