Asiaticoside (AT), a triterpenoid derived from Centella asiatica, has long been recognized for its anti-inflammatory properties. Its potential to ameliorate atherosclerosis (AS), a chronic inflammatory disease, positions it as a promising therapeutic agent, although its underlying mechanisms remain to be fully elucidated. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-atherosclerotic effects of AT and elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying its therapeutic actions in AS. The research included in vivo animal experiments, in vitro cellular studies, and target exploration and validation. High-fat diet-induced ApoE-/- mice were treated with AT or statins to assess AS progression, while ApoE-/- mice fed a chow diet served as controls. Network pharmacology and RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) of aortas identified dysregulated target genes and pathways. Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL)-stimulated peritoneal macrophages were used for in vitro studies. Molecular docking, dynamics simulations, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) arrays, Western blotting (WB), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and immunofluorescence were conducted to elucidate AT's anti-inflammatory mechanisms. AT treatment significantly attenuated AS progression and enhanced plaque stability in the aortic roots of ApoE-/- mice by reducing macrophage infiltration in plaques in vivo and suppressing inflammation in ox-LDL-stimulated macrophages in vitro. Integrated network pharmacology and RNA-Seq analyses identified Ras homolog family member F (RhoF) as a key target, with significantly elevated RhoF expression in AS plaques and macrophages, which was markedly reduced by AT treatment. Mechanistically, AT bound to RhoF, promoting its proteasome-mediated degradation, which further suppressed Nuclear Factor kappa-B (NF-κB) and Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways, thereby inhibiting inflammation. AT mitigates AS progression and enhances plaque stability in ApoE-/- mice by suppressing inflammation through RhoF proteasomal degradation and inhibition of NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathways, highlighting its potential as an anti-atherosclerotic therapeutic agent. These effects may offer advantages over current anti-inflammatory agents, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, by targeting protein stability to reduce plaque rupture risk. Its promising clinical translation value warrants further exploration.
Wang et al. (Fri,) studied this question.