Chrysin inhibits foam cell formation through promoting cholesterol efflux from RAW264.7 macrophages

AbstractContext: Chrysin, a natural flavonoid, has been shown to possess multiple pharmacological activities including anti-atherosclerosis.Objective: The effects of chrysin on foam cell formation and cholesterol flow in RAW264.7 macrophages were investigated in this work to explore the potential mechanism underlying its anti-atherogenic activity.Materials and methods: The inhibitive effect of chrysin on foam cell formation and cholesterol accumulation induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (ox-LDL) was assessed by oil red O staining and intracellular total cholesterol and triglyceride quantification in RAW264.7 macrophages. The action of chrysin on cholesterol efflux and influx was tested by fluorescent assays. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to quantify the relative expression of cholesterol flow-associated genes and luciferase assay was applied to test the transcription activity of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ).Results: Chrysin dose dependently inhibited ...