Andrographolide protects against endothelial dysfunction and inflammatory response in rats with coronary heart disease by regulating PPAR and NF-κB signaling pathways

Background: Andrographolide (Andro) is an active compound extracted from Andrographis, which has protective anti-inflammatory effects. But, its pathological role in coronary heart disease (CHD) is unclear, the aim of this study is to investigate the therapeutic effect of Andro in CHD and explore its potential mechanism. Methods: Here, we established a mouse model of CHD, and rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=10): sham, Andro (50 mg/kg), CHD, CHD + Andro (10 mg/kg), and CHD + Andro (50 mg/kg). HE staining was employed to evaluate the pathological changes of myocardial injury cardiac injury. The serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), nitric oxide (NO), TXA2, ET-1, and prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) were detected by ELISA assay. Myocardial inflammation and the interaction between Andro and PPAR-α/NF-κB axis was measured using western blot. Results: Compared with CHD groups, Andro preserved cardiac injury and decreased the levels of TC, TG, and LDL-C while increasing the level of HDL-C. In addition, Andro also reduced the levels of TNF-α, MCP-1, hs-CRP and IL-1β by shifting the macrophage phenotype and attenuated the endothelial dysfunction by increasing the serum levels of ET-1 and TAX2 and decreasing the levels of NO and PGI2 in mice. Furthermore, Andro impeded cardiac apoptosis and inhibited the activation of PPARα and NF-κB proteins. Conclusions: Andro may represent a medicinal approach for assessing and treating CHD.