Agext and Its Active Compounds as Potential Therapeutic Prevention against Atherosclerosis and Cardiovascular Disease

Abstract

Advanced Glycation End-Products (AGEs) have been implicated in the chronic complications of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in human arteries. The main active compounds found in Aged Garlic Extract (AGExt) are S-Allyl Cysteine (SAC), N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) and S-allyl Mercaptocysteine (SAMC) and have powerful protective effects against oxidative stress and inhibit cellular damage by AGEs. Aims: To explore the effect of AGExt on the development of atherosclerosis also investigated the endothelial protective effects of AGExt, using Human Coronary Artery-Derived Endothelial Cells (HCAEC). The use of an optimised mixture of the above compounds required to obtain and provide maximal beneficial effects against oxidative stress, cell apoptosis and protein glycation. Results: AGExt has protective effects against the cellular damage of HCAEC. In addition, the in vivo study accessed the activity of SAC and NAC to reduce the severity of atherosclerosis formation in Apolipoprotein (ApoE-/-) DM model mouse. The compounds of AGExt in vitro had strong protective actions against the AGEs induced damage to ECs even at low concentrations (100 ng/ml). Such low concentrations may have therapeutic usefulness in patients with diabetes.