Effects of Anethum and Ocimum basilicum on TNF-α signaling in heart tissue of hypercholesterolemic rats

Objective Previous experiments showed potentially useful properties of Ocimum basilicum (Basil) and Anethum tablet (Dill tablet). Hence, in this experiment, the influence of these herbal medicines on the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) signaling and oxidative stress markers in hypercholesterolemic animals was investigated. Materials and methods Rats were randomly divided into 6 groups; 1: control, 2: high cholesterol diet (HCD), 3: normal control + Anethum (300 mg/kg), 4: normal control + Basil (400 mg/kg), 5: HCD + Anethum (300 mg/kg), and 6: HCD + Basil (400 mg/kg). After 16 weeks of treatment, serum and heart tissue were removed. Biochemical tests and antioxidant markers were investigated. Gene expression was performed using Real-time PCR. TNF-α levels were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results Heart enzymes such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine phosphokinase (CPK), and creatine phosphokinase-MB (CPK-MB) and oxidative stress markers were reduced (p < 0.05) in the Anethum and Basil groups compared with the HCD group (p < 0.05). Results indicated that Anethum and Basil significantly alleviated oxidative stress markers in rats (p < 0.05). RIP3, TNF-α, and iNOS gene expressions also decreased in the HCD + Basil and HCD + Anethum groups in comparison to the HCD. TNF-α protein in the heart tissue was declined (p < 0.05) by Anethum and Basil. Conclusion Anethum and Basil can prevent atherosclerosis by normalizing oxidative stress and inflammation.