THE PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF ASTRAGALUS ARMATUS ON CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES INDUCED BY HYPERHOMOCYSTEINEMIA IN MICE

Our research aims to determine the protective effect of the Astragalus armatus extract on plasma homocysteine (Hcy) rate, lipids, antioxidant enzymes and histological abnormalities of aorta and heart, in hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) induced by high-methionine died in mice, which is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Twenty eight adult male Mus Musculus mice were divided into four groups, the control group (F) was fed with white bread, group (M) was fed with L-methionine, group (PM) was fed with L-methionine plus A. armatus extract, and the group (P) was treated with A. armatus extract. After 21 days of treatments, Hcy concentration, lipid parameters, hepatic antioxidant status and histological sections of aorta and heart were determined. Consumption of high methionine diet resulted in a significant increase in plasma Hcy. Furthermore, we detected an increase in lipid parameters concentrations, and a decrease in HDL-c, glutathione reduced (GSH) and catalase (CAT) activities. These results are associated with the appearance of pathological alterations in the aorta and the heart organs. While the administration of A. armatus extract with L-methionine caused: a decrease in Hcy concentration and lipid parameters, an increase in GSH and CAT activities, and an improvement in histological changes. Our data showed that A. armatus extract is effective in: decreasing plasma Hcy levels and lipid parameters, reducing oxidative stress by increasing antioxidant status and protecting aorta and heart tissues in mice fed a diet rich in L-methionine.