Camellia oil (<i>Camellia oleifera</i> Abel.) treatment improves high-fat diet-induced atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E (ApoE)^−/− mice

Abstract

Atherosclerosis is the main cause of cardiovascular diseases, and healthy dietary habits are a feasible strategy to prevent atherosclerosis development. Camellia oil, an edible plant oil, exhibits multiple beneficial cardiovascular effects. Our previous study showed that oral administration of camellia oil attenuated hyperglycemia, fat deposits in the liver, and the atherosclerosis index in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice.Here, an atherosclerosis model of apolipoprotein E (ApoE) -/mice induced by HFD was used to study the effect of camellia oil on atherosclerosis, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to analyze the changes in gut microbiota composition. The results showed that camellia oil significantly inhibited the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in ApoE -/mice, which were characterized by significantly reduced levels of serum total cholesterol and enhanced levels of serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The aortic levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor were decreased. The results of the 16S rRNA analysis showed that after camellia oil interventions, the intestinal flora of ApoE -/mice changed significantly, with the diversity of intestinal flora especially increasing, the relative abundances of Bacteroides, Faecalibaculum, Bilophila, and Leuconostoc increasing, and the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and Firmicutes abundance decreasing. Collectively, our findings confirmed the promising value of camellia oil in preventing the development of atherosclerosis in ApoE -/mice. Mechanistically, this preventive effect of camellia oil was probably due to its lipid-lowering activity, anti-inflammatory effects, and alteration of the gut microbiota composition in the mice.

Network medicine‐based analysis of the hepatoprotective effects of Amomum villosum Lour. on alcoholic liver disease in rats

“…For hepatic biochemical analysis, the right lobe of liver tissues (10 mg) was homogenized in 90 μL of saline at 65 Hz at 4°C for 2 min using a magnetic bead homogenizer (Jinxin Industrial Development Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China). The homogenate was then centrifuged at 3000× g at 4°C for 10 min, as previously described (Huang et al., 2023 ). The supernatant was collected, and the protein concentration was measured using a BCA protein assay kit.…”

A critical review of the bioactive ingredients and biological functions of camellia oleifera oil

“…Several studies have demonstrated that consuming Camellia oleifera oil can reduce the risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease ( Fig. 6 ) ( Huang et al, 2023 ).…”

Advances in Separation, Biological Properties, and Structure–Activity Relationship of Triterpenoids Derived from Camellia oleifera Abel

“…oleifera saponins (CoS) . These CoS, occurring naturally as non-ionic surfactants, are present in various parts of camellia plants, including roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and seeds. , Although husks and pomace from camellia seeds are often used in low-value commodities, such as hair shampoos, insecticides, and other items, their frequent disposal leads to substantial resource inefficiencies. , These waste materials encompass chemical constituents, such as saponins and flavonoids. Of particular significance, CoS, which exhibit a structural resemblance to pentacyclic triterpenoids and comprise sapogenins, glycosides, and organic acids, hold particular significance.…”