Scoparia dulcis and Indigofera tinctoria as potential herbal remedies against 7-ketocholesterol-induced pro-inflammatory mediators of macrophage polarization

Introduction: Herbs with medicinal properties contribute to atheroprotective effects through their preventive and therapeutic interactions with macrophages. Scoparia dulcis and Indigofera tinctoria are examples of such medicinal owing to their antiinflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial and anticancer properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the antiatherogenic potential of hot- and cold-water extracts of Scoparia dulcis (HwSd and CwSd) and Indigofera tinctoria (HwIt and CwIt). Methods: S. dulcis and I. tinctoria extracts were primarily analyzed for phytochemical constituents. In vitro model of atherosclerosis was established using IC-21 M2 phenotypic macrophages, which were stimulated using 7-ketocholesterol (7KCh) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In addition, their antiinflammatory and antioxidant potential against 7KCh and LPS-induced macrophage polarization mediators like intracellular ROS/ RNS and gene expression of pro-inflammatory mediators were studied. Results: HwSd, CwSd, HwIt and CwIt contained alkaloids, amino acids, flavonoids, glycosides, reducing sugar, saponins, tannins and terpenoids. In addition, they improved oxidative stress caused by nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species, as well as exhibited anti-inflammatory activity. Furthermore, they modulated gene expression of pro-inflammatory mediators (iNOS, IL-1 beta, COX-2, TLR-4, MMP-9 and IL-6). Conclusions: Based on these results, we concluded that Scoparia dulcis and Indigofera tinctoria possess antiatherogenic potential and can be beneficial in treating several illnesses associated with chronic inflammation.