Anti‐atherosclerotic effect of sinigrin in ApoE‐deficient mice

Abstract

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease initiated by vascular inflammation and monocyte recruitment in part. Sinigrin belongs to the family of glucosides found in some plants of the Brassicaceae family such as Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and the seeds of black mustard (Brassica nigra). Since sinigrin has been shown to have a variety of biological activities including anti‐inflammatory activities, we examined the effect of dietary sinigrin on atherosclerosis. 6 male ApoE –/– mice and 6 male control (C57BL/6J) mice were fed with 30% high‐cholesterol diet for 21 weeks. 6 of the ApoE –/– mice were also given sinigrin (oral administration of 25 μg /kg body weight, every two days for 21 weeks). Sinigrin had significant suppressive effects on the expression of VCAM‐1 and ICAM‐1 in ApoE –/– mice. In addition, sinigrin attenuated the level of oxLDL, HDL, LDH, triglyceride and total cholesterol in serum. The serum levels of sterol‐regulatory element binding protein‐2 (SREBP‐2), oxidized low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐1 (LOX‐1) and Liver X receptors (LXRs) were inhibited by sinigrin. Furthermore, the treatment of sinigrin reduced the serum levels of IL‐6 and TNF‐α. Taken together, these results suggest that sinigrin has a protective effect against atherosclerosis.