Polyherbal formulation as an anti-atherosclerosis agent by inhibiting foam cellformation and TNF-α expression in a hypercholesterolemic mice model

Atherosclerosis is a progressive inflammatory disease characterized by lipid accumulation in arterial walls. This study investigates the potential of a polyherbal formulation as an anti-atherosclerosis and anti-inflammatory agent in a hyperlipidemic mice model. An in vitro and in vivo observational experimental design was employed, using a randomized post-test control group design with twenty-five hyperlipidemic mice. The hyperlipidemia model was induced by a high-fat diet of 10% beef fat and 20% duck egg yolk for thirty days. Results showed that increased cholesterol levels, TNF-α levels, and foam cells contribute to atherosclerotic lesions formation via lipid metabolism modulation, inflammation, and foam cell regulation. The polyherbal formula significantly inhibited plaque development by reducing foam cell formation(p<0.05) with foam cell counts in P1: 8±1.0; P2: 52±6.5; P3: 30±14.5; P4: 13±7.1; and P5: 34±10.2. Additionally, it lowered TNF-α levels (P1: 72.218±8.770; P2: 141.362±63.645; P3: 56.314±10.010; P4: 57.164±24.328; P5: 89.646±7.189). The polyherbal formulation containing Brassica rapa L. (quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin), Apium graveolens L. (phytosterol, 3-n butylphthalide (3nB), apigenin, apiin, tannin, saponin), and Ananas comosus L. Merr (bromelain) effectively reduces foam cell number and TNF-α levels, demonstrating potential as an anti-atherosclerosis agent.