Anti-Atherosclerotic Activity of α-Pinene in High-Fat Diet-Induced Atherosclerosis Rat Model Via Hypolipemic, Antioxidant, and Anti-Inflammatory Activities

The aim of the present study was to determine the anti-atherosclerotic effect of a-pinene against high-fat diet (HFD)-induced atherosclerotic alterations in male Wistar rats. For 28 days, HFD was utilized to cause AS. Six rats were separated into four groups. Group I was the control. Group II was composed of a-pinene. Group III represents 28 days of atherosclerosis treatment with a high-fat diet. Group IV is administered a high-fat meal plus a-pinene (50 mg/kg, orally). Compared to the HFD-induced AS group, a-pinene dramatically improved the cardiac-related indicators and lipid profile. In addition, a-pinene dramatically improved the antioxidant state and decreased the levels of inflammatory markers. The lipid-regulating genes acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), sterol-regulatory-element-binding protein-c (SREBP-c), and fatty acid synthase (FAS) are dramatically downregulated by a-pinene in HFD-induced AS rats. Experimental investigations indicate that a-pinene can slow the progression of AS by enhancing the lipid profile, restoring antioxidant capabilities, reducing the production of proinflammatory cytokines, and regulating lipid metabolism.