Clinical & Experimental Cardiology
Open Access

Abstract

Effect of the Chinese Drugs Nao Xintong and Dan Hong on Markers of Inflammation and the Lipid Profile in a Hypercholesterolemic Rabbit Model

Joseph B. Muhlestein, Eric G. Johnson, Canzhan Zhu, Junhui Xiao, Monica Patricia Revelo, Jeffrey L. Anderson and Changcong Cui

Objectives: This study assessed the effect of two commonly prescribed Chinese traditional medications, Nao Xintong and Dan Hong, on aortic intimal thickness, lipids and markers of inflammation in a hypercholesterolemic rabbit model.

Study design: Female New Zealand White rabbits (N=50) were divided into 4 groups and treated for 90 days: Group 1 (N=12); control group; common rabbit chow; no treatment. Group 2 (N=12); 2% cholesterol enriched rabbit chow (fat chow); no treatment. Group 3 (N=13); fat chow; daily treatments of oral Nao Xintong (0.3 g/kg). Group 4 (N=13); fat chow; daily treatments of oral Nao Xintong (0.3 g/kg) combined with regular injections of Dan Hong (0.3 ml/kg, IV or IP, every third day). Total cholesterol, triglycerides and CRP were measured at baseline, 60 days and 90 days when each animal was euthanized and thoracic aortic intimal thickness was quantified by measuring the percent area stenosis (PAS).

Results: Group 1 showed no aortic intimal growth. PAS averaged 36.410.8% for Groups 2, 3 and 4 with no significant differences between each group. The high cholesterol diets of Groups 2, 3 and 4 produced marked increases in total cholesterol levels that trended down between 60 and 90 days. Peak elevations of total cholesterol at 60 days were blunted by both Nao Xintong and the combination of Nao Xintong and Dan Hong, but these differences were not statistically significant. A statistically significant 20% reduction in triglycerides was found in rabbits receiving both Nao Xintong and Dan Hong. Likewise, the combination therapy also significantly reduced CRP (change score [baseline - 60 days = 14.2 mcg/ml; change score [baseline - 90 days] = 8.5 mcg/ml).

Conclusions: In this very hyperlipidemic rabbit model, the combination of Nao Xintong and Dan Hong produced no affect on aortic intimal thickness, but did significantly reduce both triglycerides and CRP. These positive effects both on inflammatory markers and triglycerides may well translate into significant human clinical benefit.