Ilexgenin A is a novel pentacyclic triterpenoid, is a compound extracted from leaves of Ilex hainanensis Merr

Ilexgenin A (IA), a novel pentacyclic triterpenoid, is a compound extracted from leaves of Ilex hainanensis Merr.treatment with IA attenuated atherosclerosis in high-fat diet-induced apolipoprotein E deficient mice via a series of effects involving regulation of lipid parameters, decrease of atherosclerosis-related indexes, inhibition of inflammatory cytokines secretion and pathological changes of main organs.?The underlying mechanism of IA was investigated on oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL)-induced THP-1 cells.?Pre-treatment with IA decreased active inflammation cytokines involving interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) expression in a concentration-dependent manner.IA inhibited the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (Akt), IKKα phosphorylation and NF-κB activity induced by Ox-LDL.?Overall, these findings define IA as a novel drug candidate for anti-atherosclerotic therapy[2].