Poria cocos polysaccharides reduces high-fat diet-induced arteriosclerosis in ApoE^-/- mice by inhibiting inflammation

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the arteries, which is closely related to dyslipidemia, inflammatory factors, and oxidative stress. Poria cocos polysaccharides (PCP) are one of the main active ingredients of Poria, which has significant pharmacological effects. In this study, the potential protective mechanism of PCP on AS was discussed in the ApoE(-/-) mice model induced by high-fat diet. These pathological changes were evaluated by H&E and oil red O staining. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in aortic tissue were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. These protein expressions were detected by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. The results showed that PCP inhibited the serum inflammatory mediators (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, and nitric oxide) and lipids (low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglyceride, and total cholesterol) increase. Moreover, PCP also reduced the concentration of malondialdehyde, increased the activity of superoxide dismutase, and improved the pathological changes of the aorta. Finally, PCP inhibited the activation of the TLR4/NF-kappa B pathway in the aorta and blocked the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 proteins. In short, PCP intervenes in AS by reducing inflammatory factors and blood lipid levels.