Influence of Angelicae sinensis extract on lipid accumulation in rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells induced by oxidized LDL

Objective: To further establish a definite basic of the application value of sodium ferulate (SF) for prevention and cure of acute coronary heart disease, we examined the effects of SF on LDL oxidation and lipid accumulation in rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells induced by modified-LDL.Methods: LDL oxidation was carried out in the presence and absence of SF. Cultured rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells were used as the model. To investigate the effects of SF on intracellular lipid accumulation, cells were incubated with Ox-LDL and SF. The lipid content (cholesterol and triglycerides) of the cells were determined.Results: Intracellular cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly increased in cell-modified LDL group. The enhancements of above indexes were decreased after addition of SF (200 microg/ml). On the other hand, incubation of LDL with SF resulted in a significant decrease in TBARS activity and electrophoretic mobility.Conclusion: The results indicated that SF assume significance both in the protection of LDL against oxidation and inhibition of cell-modified LDL effects on intracellular lipid with the potential to prevent cell foamation.