Yiqi Wenyang decoction protects against the development of atherosclerosis by inhibiting vascular inflammation.

CONTEXT: Vascular inflammation is a key process in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, which is regulated by NF-κB pathway. Yiqi Wenyang decoction (YQWY), a Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, has anti-inflammatory properties and may inhibit this pathway, potentially offering anti-atherosclerotic effects. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of YQWY on atherosclerosis and the underlying mechanism. Materials and methods: ApoE(-/-) mice were fed a Western diet and administered with YQWY (low or high dose), atorvastatin, or vehicle for 13 weeks. The size of atherosclerotic plaques was assessed using ORO staining. Vascular inflammation was evaluated with IF or IHC staining. The mechanisms and signaling pathways underlying the effect of YQWY on vasculature were studied using transcriptomic analysis and were validated in vitro in endothelial cells and macrophages. RESULTS: YQWY attenuated atherosclerotic plaque development which was associated with reduced vascular inflammation as demonstrated by transcriptomic analysis of aorta. This was verified by reduced expression of proinflammatory chemokines, adhesion molecules, and inflammatory cytokines in aortas from YQWY-treated mice at both mRNA and protein levels. Mechanistically, YQWY suppressed NF-κB activation in endothelial cells and, to a lesser extent, macrophages possibly. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: YQWY protects against vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis by suppressing NF-κB pathway, suggesting the potential of YQWY and its active ingredients as novel anti-atherosclerotic therapeutics.