Inhibition of LDL oxidation and oxidized LDLinduced foam cell formation in RAW 264.7 cells show antiatherogenic properties of a foliar methanol extract of Scoparia dulcis

Background:
Oxidation of low density lipoproteins and their further uptake by macrophages is known to result in the
formation of foam cells, which are critical in the initiation of atherosclerosis through activation of
inflammatory signalling cascades. Thus, powerful dietary antioxidants are receiving attention for the reversal
of such pathological states.
Materials and Methods:
Extracts of Scoparia dulcis have been used as tea and health drinks with various health promoting effects. In
the present study, we examined the reactive oxygen scavenging potential as well as antiinflammatory
and
antiatherogenic
efficacies, using leaf extracts obtained after successive extraction with various solvents.
Results:
A methanol extract showed potent antioxidant activity with an IC value of 570 μg/ml, caused hydrogen
peroxide scavenging (28.9 μg/ml) and antiinflammatory
effects by improving human erythrocyte membrane
stabilisation (about 86%). The methanol extract also efficiently inhibited lipid peroxidation and oxidation of
low density lipoproteins, thus preventing foam cell formation in cultured RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore,
phytochemical screening of the extracts showed high accumulation of flavonoids.
Conclusions:
The foliar methanol extract of Scoparia dulcis has a strong antiatherogenic
potential and this property could
be attributed maybe due to presence of flavonoids since HPLC analysis showed high concentrations of
myricetin and rutin in the methanol extract.