Impact of Dietary Ellagic Acid on Cholesterol Efflux in Lipid‐laden Murine Macrophages

Foam cell formation is a hallmark event during atherosclerosis. The current paradigm is that lipid uptake by scavenger receptor in macrophages initiates the chronic pro‐inflammatory cascade that characterizes atherosclerosis. Ellagic acid is a polyphenolic compound in fruits and vegetables including raspberries, strawberries, and walnuts. This study investigated that Ellagic acid enhanced expression of ATP‐binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) involved in cholesterol efflux from macrophage‐derived foam cells. J774A.1 murine macrophages were treated with 50 μg/mL oxidized LDL (oxLDL) for 24 h in DMEM containing 0.4% fatty acid free BSA. ABCA1 expression was boosted in lipid‐laden foam cells treated with 10 μM Ellagic acid that was cytoprotective against toxicity of free cholesterol accumulation. In addition, the heavy Oil Red O staining observed in oxLDL‐alone macrophages was substantially diminished in macrophage foam cells exposed to Ellagic acid, whereas the ABCA1‐mediated cholesterol efflux was enhanced. These results demonstrate that Ellagic acid may be a dietary anti‐atherogenic agent enhancing disposal of harmful lipoproteins from lipid‐laden foam cells. Supported by the Ministry of Knowledge Economy through Technological Development Project for Regional Strategic Planning.