Title: Characterising the cardioprotective potential of Sida rhombifolia, Polygonum chinense and Phyla nodiflora aqueous extracts: investigating its effect on foam cell formation

Authors: Xiao Wei Lee; Wei Sheng Siew; Siau Hui Mah; Wei Hsum Yap

Addresses: Faculty Health and Medical Sciences, School of Biosciences, Taylor's University, No. 1, Jalan Taylors, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia ' Faculty Health and Medical Sciences, School of Biosciences, Taylor's University, No. 1, Jalan Taylors, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia ' Faculty Health and Medical Sciences, School of Biosciences, Taylor's University, No. 1, Jalan Taylors, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia ' Faculty Health and Medical Sciences, School of Biosciences, Taylor's University, No. 1, Jalan Taylors, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia

Abstract: Cardiovascular diseases represent one of the leading causes of mortality. Studies have shown that medicinal plants with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities are potential cardioprotective agents. This study aimed to determine cardioprotective potential of Sida rhombifolia, Polygonum chinense and Phyla nodiflora in inhibiting macrophage foam cells formation and its regulatory mechanisms. The findings showed that S. rhombifolia and P. nodiflora have minimal cytotoxicity effect on THP-1 macrophages, however P. chinense exhibited cytotoxic effect with an IC50 of 11.83 µg/mL. All plant extracts showed significant inhibition of foam cells formation at 10 µg/mL. PPI network and gene enrichment analysis showed that the three plant extracts may regulate the steroid biosynthesis and arachidonic acid metabolism, and MDM2, PTGS2, SIRT1, PARP1, RELA, GSK3B, CYP17A, and CYP19A1 were predicted as the targets. In conclusion, S. rhombifolia and P. nodiflora showed promising cardioprotective effect, which could be potential therapeutic treatment and prevention towards atherosclerosis.

Keywords: atherosclerosis; foam cell; network pharmacology.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBRA.2025.144025

International Journal of Bioinformatics Research and Applications, 2025 Vol.21 No.1, pp.50 - 71

Received: 29 Dec 2023
Accepted: 23 Apr 2024
Published online: 21 Jan 2025 *

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