Syringin and Phillygenin—Natural Compounds with a Potential Role in Preventing Lipid Deposition in Macrophages in the Context of Human Atherosclerotic Plaque
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Syringin is a phenylpropanoid glycoside isolated from the bark of Syringa vulgaris. Phillygenin is a lignan obtained mainly from the fruits and flowers of Forsythia intermedia. Both compounds have shown potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. We investigated the potential role of syringin and phillygenin in preventing lipid deposition in macrophages. Syringin and phillygenin significantly (p < 0.001) reduced lipid deposition in macrophages in a dose-dependent manner. For syringin, the greatest reduction in CD36 receptor expression was found to be over 80% (50 μg/mL) compared to the cholesterol-stimulated control (p < 0.001). Phillygenin inhibited CD36 receptor expression by approximately 25% (50 μg/mL), compared to the stimulated control (p < 0.05). For syringin, the CD36 receptor regulation pathway was PPAR-γ dependent. Phillygenin showed a statistically significant (p < 0.001) increase in the expression of the ABCA1 transporter: 2.5-fold (10 μg/mL), 3-fold (20 μg/mL) and 4-fold (50 μg/mL) compared to the cholesterol-stimulated control. Syringin did not significantly increase ABCA1 expression. For phillygenin, the activation pathway of the ABCA1 transporter was HO-1dependent. Our study showed that syringin inhibits the cholesterol-induced differentiation of macrophages into foam cells. Moreover, phillygenin increased cholesterol efflux from macrophages. Therefore, syringin and phillygenin may be valuable agents in the prevention of early and late atherosclerosis.
DOI: 10.3390/ijms26136444
Authors: Agnieszka Filipek, Agnieszka Sadowska, Monika Skłodowska, Maja Muskała, Edyta Czepielewska
Institutions: Medical University of Warsaw, VIZJA University
Language: English
Subfield: Surgery
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,499
OpenAlex ID: W4412037379