ABSTRACT
The aggregation of macrophage-derived foam cells on vascular wall is considered to be a main cause of atherosclerosis. In the present study, we evaluated the inhibitory effect of the compound ilexpernoside C (IC1) extracted from Ilex pernyi (Aquifoliaceae) on foam cell formation in THP-1 macrophages cells which were induced by low density lipoproteins aggregates (LDL aggregates). Results showed that IC1 could significantly inhibit the formation of foam cells. The analysis on related receptors of foam cells indicated that IC1 could significantly decrease the expression of low density lipoprotein-related receptor 1(LRP1). Therefore, these findings indicated that IC1 inhibited the formation of foam cells by inhibiting endocytosis of macrophages, thus it may act as a potential anti-atherosclerotic agent.