Ethanol extract of Rubia yunnanensis inhibits carotid atherosclerosis via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

Atherosclerosis is a multifactorial vascular disease caused by endothelial dysfunction. Because of adverse reactions to drugs used to treat atherosclerosis. For example, statins, which significantly reduce the burden of atherosclerotic disease, have been associated with muscle toxicity. There is a need to identify novel drugs for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis Rubia yunnanensis is a herbs commonly used in Asian countries for its protective effects against cardiovascular diseases. However, the mechanism of action of R. yunnanensis extract in carotid artery atherosclerosis has not been found. The carotid artery is usually used as a site for clinical evaluation of atherosclerosis. The present study aimed to determine the mechanism of action of R. yunnanensis extract in the inhibition of carotid atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E gene knockout (ApoE(-/-)) mice. The mechanism of atherosclerosis inhibition was elucidated by detecting the blood lipid level, carotid artery pathology, and the protein expression of PI3K and AKT. The present study demonstrated that ethanol extract of R. yunnanensis reduced lipid levels, intima damage and carotid lipid accumulation and increased p-PI3K/PI3K and p-AKT/AKT protein levels in ApoE(-/-) mice fed high-fat diet for 12 weeks. It was hypothesized that the effects of R. yunnanensis extract may be achieved by regulation of the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B signaling pathway. Ethanol extract of R. yunnanensis decreased carotid atherosclerosis in ApoE(-/-) mice fed a high-fat diet via the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B signaling pathway. Therefore, R. yunnanensis may be a promising option for treating atherosclerosis in the future.