The effects of Ficus deltoidea on atherogenesis: in vitro and in vivo studies

Coronary artery disease (CAD), mainly caused by atherosclerosis, remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Malaysia and worldwide. Ficus deltoidea (FD), a medicinal plant with potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, may provide protection against atherosclerosis. This study evaluated the in vitro anti-atherogenic potential of four FD varieties and their bioactive constituents (vitexin and isovitexin), followed by in vivo assessment of safety and efficacy in high cholesterol diet (HCD)induced atherosclerotic rabbits using crude and bioenhanced (BE) extracts. Human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAEC) were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and treated with aqueous ethanolic extracts (5–40 µg/ml) of FD var. kunstleri (FDK), trengganuensis (FDT), intermedia (FDI), and deltoidea (FDD). Effects on inflammation, endothelial activation, oxidative stress, and monocyte adhesion were assessed through protein and gene expression analysis (ELISA and QuantiGene plex), reactive oxygen species (ROS) production (DCFH-DA assay), and monocyte binding (Rose Bengal assay).