Inhibition of nuclear translocation of notch intracellular domain (NICD) by diosgenin prevented atherosclerotic disease progression

Notch signaling plays a pivotal role in homeostasis and cardiovascular development. The role of notch signaling in atherosclerosis cannot be complete without analysing the key role of notch in macrophages, which trigger the inflammatory response and subsequent plaque formation in atherosclerosis. Diosgenin showed its anti-atherosclerotic property by the unifying mechanism of suppressing the expression of notch signaling pathway, particularly the nuclear translocation of notch intracellular domain (NICD) in aorta and in differentiated macrophage cells. It is further confirmed by the inhibition of NICD by DAPT (N-[N-(3, 5-difluorophenacetyl)-l-alanyl]-S-phenylglycine t-butyl ester), which also restricted the differentiation of macrophage. Hence, inhibition of nuclear translocation of NICD by diosgenin aids in preventing atherosclerosis.