Andrographis paniculata can modulate the ratio of Treg to Th17 cells in atherosclerotic rats

Summary: The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of Andrographis paniculata (Burm F) in the modulation of naive T cell differentiation and its related cytokines in the rat model of atherosclerosis. Twenty-five male rats were assigned to five study groups, consisting of the control group (normal diet), the atherosclerosis rat group (atherogenic diet), and the atherosclerotic rat group receiving A. paniculata (Burm F) extracts in three doses, there were 0.6 mg/kgBBW (Ather + AP1 group), 1.2 mg/kgBBW (Ather + AP2 group) and 2.4 mg/kgBBW (Ather + AP3 group). The numbers of Th17 and Treg cells were measured using flow cytometry. The IL-17 and IL-6 levels were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. Th17 cell level increased significantly in the atherosclerosis group compared to the control group (p > 0.05). The A. paniculata extract in the 0.6 mg/kgBBW and 2.4 mg/kgBBW doses could decrease the Th17 cell count significantly compared to the atherosclerosis group (p < 0.05), despite did not achieve a normal value similar to the control group (p < 0.05). The A. paniculata extract in the 1.2 mg/kgBBW dose significantly increased Treg cell count compared to the other groups (p < 0.05). The ratio of Treg cells to Th17 cells dropped significantly in the atherosclerosis group to the control group (p > 0.05). A. paniculata extract of the 0.6 mg/kgBBW and 2.4 mg/kgBBW doses significantly increased the ratio of Treg cell to T17 cells compared to atherosclerosis group (p < 0.05), even in the 2.4 mg/kgBBW dose reached a value comparable to the control group in the third dose (p < 0.05). It could be concluded that A. paniculata can modulate the ratio of Treg cell to Th17 cell levels in atherosclerotic rats. Keywords: Atherogenesis, T cells, T regulator, Th17, Andrographolide