Homeopathic preparation of Allium sativum abrogates OxLDL mediated atherogenic events in macrophages: An in vitro and in silico approach

Abstract

Background: Oxidized LDL (OxLDL), the key player in atherogenesis modulates endothelial dysfunction, initiates monocyte recruitment, accentuates foam cell formation, and flares up inflammatory and apoptotic events. Even though homeopathic preparation of Allium sativum has been proved to be an anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and anti-atherogenic agent, its mechanism of action on abrogating OxLDL mediated foam cell formation is yet to be explored. Objective: This study was designed to bring out the role of homeopathic preparation of Allium sativum in curbing OxLDL mediated cellular inflammation in IC-21 cells exposed with OxLDL. Materials and methods: OxLDL was used to induce oxidative damage in the IC-21 macrophage cells. Assessment of inflammatory cytokines, localization of NFκB, detection of apoptosis and the in silico analysis were performed in this study. Results: The current study portrays the efficacy of homeopathy medicine as an anti-inflammatory agent, in reducing the levels of inflammatory cytokines and its mRNA expression, suppressing the activity of NFκB and preventing apoptosis in OxLDL treated IC-21 cells. Conclusion: To conclude, homeopathic preparation of Allium sativum 6C and 30C potencies are capable of controlling the transcriptional activity of NFκB and apoptosis in IC-21 cells exposed to OxLDL. These results implicate that Allium sativum homeopathic drug can be used as anti-inflammatory agent in reducing atherogenic events as it is capable of preventing OxLDL-mediated injury to macrophages.

Keywords

• Allium sativum
• Cardiovascular disease
• Cytokines
• OxLDL