Study on the effect of some pure plant volatile oils on the affinity of native and oxidized LDL to its receptor on the adrenal cells

Abstract

Accumulating evidence shows high plasma levels and preoxidation of LDL display the key role in atherogenesis. When LDL is oxidized, the affinity of LDL to its receptor is decreased and via scavenger receptor on macrophages is being taken off. The resultant accumulation of ox-LDL in macrophages leads to the appearance of foam cells and fatty streak formation in the subendothelial cells of arterial wall. In this study, antioxidant properties of eight natural volatile oils include: Geraniol, Thymol, Pulegone, P-cymol, Linalool, Limonene, Eugenol, Anethol and its effect on the affinity of native and oxidized-LDL to its receptor in bovine adrenal cells have been investigated in the presence of fluoresein isothiocyanate-labled-LDL. The results show that between volatile oils used in the study Eugenol and Thymol are the best compounds that were increased the affinity of native and oxidized LDL to its adrenal cells receptor. The effect of these compound on oxidized LDL is Thymol> Eugenol> Geraniol> Limonene> P-Cymol> Linalool> Anethol> Pulegone. And on native LDL is Eugenol> Thymol> Linalool> P-Cymol> Limonene> Geraniol> Pulegone> Anethol. These results indicate that, volatile oils especially Thymol and Eugenol have antioxidant properties and probably via its lipophylic effect and effect on the LDL particles changed the affinity of LDL for its receptor. However, deeper and more studies are warranted to use such compounds for clinical usages especially atherosclerosis and cholesterol reduction.

Keywords

• ldl
• receptor
• oxidation
• atherosclerosis
• volatile oils