Influence of Nerolidol on High-cholesterol Diet-Induced Atherosclerosis in Rats via Antioxidant and p38 MAPK Signaling Pathway

Background and Objective: Atherosclerosis and the Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) are a severe threat to human health. Consumption of a High Cholesterol Diet (HCD) has been proposed as a significant risk factor for atherosclerosis. Nerolidol can be found in high concentrations in the essential oils of many ornamentals, medicinal and edible or nutritional plants. Nerolidol, one of the sesquiterpenes, is interested in its potential benefits for cancer and cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of nerolidol on High Cholesterol Diet (HCD)-fed atherosclerosis in Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: The first group served as control, the second group was fed with nerolidol (40 mg kg(-1) b.wt.), the third group was fed with HCD for eight weeks and the fourth group was fed with HCD along with nerolidol (40 mg kg(-1) b.wt.) for last four weeks. Results: Lipid profile, atherogenic index and cardiac markers, antioxidant status and inflammatory levels were determined in HCD-induced atherosclerosis rats. Nerolidol produced a significant anti-atherosclerotic activity in reducing lipid profile, atherogenic index, cardiac markers and improved antioxidant status in HCD-induced treated groups compared to the control. Further, nerolidol significantly inhibited the expression of the p38 MAPK compared to the HCD-induced group. Conclusion: In conclusion, the current investigation revealed that nerolidol reduced the HCD induced dyslipidemia in the Wistar rats. The possible mechanism of action may be connected to the antioxidative, down-regulating p-p38 MAPK and anti-inflammatory effect by nerolidol.