The role of cepharanthine as an anti-atherosclerotic agent in rats

This investigation assessed the potential of cepharanthine (CEP), a compound from Stephania cepharantha Hayata, in mitigating atherosclerosis in a hyperlipidemic rat model. Using Wistar rats, four distinct diet and drug treatment groups were established: a high-fat high sucrose diet (HFHS), HFHS supplemented with intraperitoneal cepharanthine (HFHS-C) or oral atorvastatin (HFHS-A) from the 8th week, and a normal-fat diet (NFD). The study aimed to evaluate diet and drug impact on aortic histopathological changes over 16 weeks. Our results revealed significant atherosclerosis prevention in the aorta of the HFHS-C group, marked by preserved endothelial integrity, absence of inflammation, and lack of atherosclerotic plaques. Additionally, CEP demonstrated a crucial role in preventing the emergence of cholesterol clefts and foamy macrophages. These findings suggest that CEP effectively curbs atherosclerosis progression in hyperlipidemic rats, reducing arterial fat deposition and offering a potential natural preventative strategy against this disease.