Research on the Effect of Tongxinluo on Macrophage Foam Cell Formation

Objective: To investigate the effect of Tongxinluo (TXL) on the foam cell formation of macrophages (RAW264.7). Methods: In vitro experiment: Cultured RAW264.7 mouse monocyte macrophages were divided into four groups: control group, model group, TXL treatment group, and DMSO group. A foam cell model was induced by incubating the macrophages with 50 μg/mL oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). The TXL treatment group was intervened with 100 μg/mL Tongxinluo. Lipid deposition within macrophages was observed using Oil Red O staining; cell proliferation activity was detected via a CCK-8 assay kit; and the levels of inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) in the cell culture supernatant were measured by ELISA. Results: Compared with the control group, the model group exhibited a significant downregulation of macrophage proliferation activity, markedly increased lipid deposition, and a substantial increase in the release of inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 into the supernatant. In contrast to the model group, the TXL treatment group showed a significant upregulation of proliferation activity, markedly reduced lipid deposition, and a significant downregulation in the release of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. No significant changes in these indicators were observed in the solvent control (DMSO) group compared to the model group. Conclusion: Tongxinluo can significantly inhibit foam cell formation in macrophages and attenuate macrophage-mediated inflammatory injury.