Therapeutic Potential of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Rumex alveollatus L. Leaves in Atherosclerosis: Biochemical, Molecular, and Histopathological Insights from a Rat Model

Objectives: Atherosclerosis (AS), a significant cause of cardiovascular diseases, is characterized by disrupted lipid metabolism, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction. We evaluated the effects and mechanisms of a hydroalcoholic extract from Rumex alveollatus L. (RAL) leaves on AS in rats. Materials and Methods: AS induction was done with a high-fat diet combined with ovalbumin and vitamin D3 injections. Rats were allocated to five groups: normal control, AS model, AS treated with simvastatin, and AS treated with RAL at 300 and 600 mg/kg doses. Treatments were administered intragastrically for 70 days, while controls received water. Key biomarkers, such as total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), were analyzed by a biochemistry analyzer. Serum inflammatory markers such as 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α (6-keto-PGF1α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), IL-8, endothelin (ET) thromboxane B2 (TXB2), and nitric oxide (NO) were measured via radioimmunoassay (RIA). Real-time PCR assessed caspase-3, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression in the thoracic aorta artery. Results: RAL significantly (p < .05) improved lipid profiles by decreasing LDL-C, TC, and TG levels while enhancing HDL-C. It also significantly (p < .05) lowered inflammatory cytokines (IL-8 and IL-1β) and caspase-3, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 gene expression. Additionally, RAL significantly (p < .05) enhanced 6-keto-PGF1α and significantly (p < .05) increased TXB2 and ET levels. Histopathological analysis revealed reduced liver and arterial damage in AS rats treated with RAL. Conclusion: These findings suggest that RAL may effectively inhibit AS progression by improving lipid metabolism, reducing inflammation, and protecting endothelial function.