Cardio-Protective and Anti-Atherosclerosis Effect of Baicalin on Vitamin D3 and High Fat Induced Atherosclerosis in Rats

Atherosclerosis (AS) is A serious health problem. The incidence of AS commonly occurred in the Asian continent, especially China. Oxidative stress increases the incidence of AS and its related complications. Baicalin is a flavonoid and iscommonly used in Chinese Herbal Medicine. The current investigation estimated the cardioprotective and anti-atherosclerosis effect of baicalin against Vitamin D-3 and high fat diet (HFD) induced AS in rats. In this study Swiss Albino Wistar rats were used; the rats were divided into different groups and received the oral administration of baicalin and atorvastatin. The body weight, food intake, water, urine and fecal output were estimated at regular time. Lipid profile, antioxidant parameters, atherogenic index, coronary artery index, free fatty acid, cardiac parameters, and inflammatory cytokines were estimated. Baicalin significantly suppressed the body weight along with heart, liver and enhanced the kidney weight. Baicalin significantly (p < 0.001) declined the platelet aggregation rate and aortic membrane thickness, significantly (p < 0.001) altered the lipid parameters, and significantly (p < 0.001) suppressed the atherogenic index (AI), free fatty acids (FFA) and coronary risk index (CRI). Baicalin significantly decreased the level of cardiac parameters and hepatic parameters, respectively, significantly (p < 0.001) modulated the antioxidant parameters and inflammatory cytokines, and significantly (p < 0.001) down-regulates the HMG/CoA mevalonate ratio, calcium, collagen and total protein. Baicalin exhibited cardioprotective and anti-atherosclerosis effect against HFD induced AS in rats via alteration of oxidative stress and inflammatory reaction.