Pathavi Apo Vayo Formulary Extract Treatment Under High Glucose Conditions on Foam Cell Formation in RAW264.7 Macrophages

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of Pathavi Apo Vayo formulary extract (PAV) extracted by 50% ethanol on foam cell formation of macrophages (RAW264.7), in high glucose medium (HGM). Foam cell formation and lipid accumulation, gene expression, cytokine production, proteomic analysis, protein difference and protein-chemical correlation were studied using Oil Red O staining, Real-Time PCR, ELISA, Liquid ChromatographyTandem Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS-MS), and bioinformatics (Venn diagram and STITCH), respectively. Oxidized lowdensity lipoprotein (oxLDL) was used to induce the formation of foam cells. In oxLDL induction, PAV co-treatment suppressed lipid accumulation in foam cells slightly, while a higher concentration of PAV (200-400 µg/mL) increased the lipid accumulation in the treated cells slightly. Similarly, PAV up-regulated the gene expressions of oxLDL receptors including LOX-1. However, PAV down-regulated the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes including TNF-α. In addition, PAV also decreased cytokine production after co-treatment with oxLDL and LPS in both normal glucose medium (NGM) and HGM. In total 7,192 proteins were identified from 6 glucose medium conditions using shotgun proteome analysis, 42 of which were expressed only in HGM and HGM +400 µg/mL PAV conditions. A proteome mechanism during the process of PAV treatment under high glucose conditions is proposed. In conclusion, PAV could slightly decrease foam cell formation, but might increase lipid accumulation in foam cells when using higher concentrations. Therefore, this traditional medicine should be used carefully in hyperlipidemia and diabetes patients. © 2025, Walailak University. All rights reserved.