Effects of Andrographis paniculata Extract on Toll-Like Receptor-4 (TLR4) Expression and Aorta Calcification in Rats Exposed to Cigarette Smoke

Smoking has been associated with morbidity and cardiovascular events. Administration of antioxidants can prevent aortic calcification and reduce levels of atherosclerosis markers caused by cigarette exposure. Andrographis paniculata, with the main ingredient of Andrographolide, has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and effects on the cardiovascular system.Methods: This study is an experimental study with a randomized post-test control group design to determine the effect of Andrographis paniculata extract on aortic abnormalities in rats. Samples were randomly divided into two groups: the control group, which was given standard feed and exposure to cigarette smoke, and the treatment group, which was given standard feed, exposure to cigarette smoke, and Andrographis paniculata extract.Results: TLR4 expression in the control group (mean 41.50 ± 4.17), the first treatment group (mean 30.75 ± 3.24), the second group (mean 15.25 ± 3.01), the third group (mean 9.75 ± 4.65). The Shapiro Wilk normality test showed that the data were normally distributed (P > 0.05) with homogeneous data variance (P > 0.05). The analysis was continued with One Way Anova and found a significant difference between groups (P = 0.000). The aortic calcification in control group (mean 1.80 ± 0.616 pixel percentage); group 1 (means1.00 ± 0.48 pixel percentage), group 2 (mean 0.54 ± 0.34 pixel percentage), group 3 (mean 0.24 ± 0.16). In the Shapiro Wilk normality test, all data of aortic calcifications were normally distributed (P > 0.05) with inhomogeneous data variance (P < 0.05). The analysis continued with One Way Anova, and there were significant differences between groups (P = 0.001).Conclusion: Giving Andrographis paniculata extract to rats exposed to cigarette smoke decreased TLR4 expression and reduce the incidence of aortic calcification.Keywords: Andrographis paniculata, calcification, TLR4.