Vasculoprotective Effects of Centella Asiatica, Justicia Gendarussa and Imperata Cylindrica Decoction via the NOXs-ROS-NF-κB Pathway in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Abstract

Background and aim: Centella asiatica,Justicia gendarussaandImperata cylindricadecoction (CJID) isefficacious for hypertension. NADPH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate) oxidase (NOX)-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation modulates nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) activationand thus mediates hypertension-induced vascular remodeling. This research aims to investigate the anti-remodeling effect of CJID through the mechanism of NOXs-ROS-NF-kB pathway in spontaneously hy-pertensive rats (SHRs).Experimental procedure:CJID was orally administered once a day forfive weeks in SHRs andnormotensive-WKY (Wistar Kyoto) rats. All rats were sacrificed at the end of study and different assayswere performed to determine whether CJID ameliorates vascular remodeling in SHRs, such as histo-logical examination; lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and su-peroxide dismutase (SOD) assays; superoxide and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) generation assays,immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence assays. . Changes in levels of inducible nitric oxidesynthase (iNOS), NF-kB-p65, NF-kB inhibitor alpha/IkBa(inhibitory kappa B- alpha), phosphorylation ofIkBa(p-IkBa) and NOX1, NOX2, NOX4 in the thoracic aorta were determined.Results:Vascular remodeling indicators, media thickness, collagen and elastic accumulation in thethoracic aorta, of SHRs-treated CJID were attenuated. Redox homeostasis, aortic superoxide andhydrogen peroxide generation were decreased in SHRs-treated group. Aortic iNOS, p-IkBa, NF-kB-p65and NOX1, NOX2, NOX4 expressions were suppressed.