Auricularia heimuer Ameliorates Oxidative Stress and Inflammation to Inhibit Atherosclerosis Development in ApoE−/− Mice

Background: Atherosclerosis is a chronic vascular disease triggered by lipid accumulation. Auricularia heimuer is rich in various bioactive compounds that have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hypolipidemic properties. The specific beneficial effects of A. heimuer on atherosclerosis and its underlying mechanisms require further investigation. Methods: In this study, ApoE−/− mice were utilized as models of atherosclerosis induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) to investigate the effects of A. heimuer. Analyses of gut microbiota and serum metabolomics were conducted to elucidate the potential mechanism. Results: In HFD-fed ApoE−/− mice, A. heimuer significantly inhibited the increase in body weight, regulated lipid levels, and alleviated aortic lesions. A. heimuer also modulated the abundance of intestinal flora such as Akkermansia and Ruminococcus and altered the levels of serum metabolites, including 12(S)-hydroxy-5Z,8Z,10E,14Z-eicosatetraenoic acid (12(S)-HETE) and N-acetyl galactosamine 4-sulfate. Furthermore, A. heimuer alleviated oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, thereby mitigating atherosclerosis via the Nrf2/NF-κB signaling pathway. Conclusions: These findings suggest that A. heimuer may serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for atherosclerosis.