Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the anti-atherosclerotic potential and gut microbiota (GM) modulation effects of Xiong's Shiwei Wendan decoction (, XSWD). METHODS: For in vitro study, Tsuchiya human peripheral blood mononuclear cell-1 (THP-1) derived foam cells were used to examine the possible anti-atherosclerotic effect of XSWD and XSWD-medicated serum. Atherosclerosis-prone apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE-/-) mice were utilized for in vivo analysis. After an 8-week high-fat diet (HFD) adminstration, 25 male ApoE-/- mice were randomly divided into the model group, different doses of XSWD groups (1.25, 2.5, 5 mg/mL), and atorvastatin group (2.6 mg/kg). Following a continuous 8-week intervention, all mice underwent examination for AS lesion formation and assessment of its serum lipid profile. To investigate the effect on the gut microbiome, 16S rRNA gene sequencing targeting the V3-V4 hypervariable region was performed on the colonic content of mice. RESULTS: XSWD administration attenuated lipid deposition in THP-1 cells, significantly reduced aortic plaque lesions, improved the lipid profile, and normalized GM composition in HFD-fed ApoE-/- mice. CONCLUSION: This study investigated the potential anti-atherosclerotic and gut microbio-ta-restoring effects of XSWD in ApoE-/- mice, with findings suggesting that XSWD may be a promising preventive measure against atherosclerosis through its ability to reduce lipid accumula-tion in foam cells, improve lipid profile, and restore gut microbiota composition.