The deciduous tree Terminalia bellirica found in Southeast Asia is extensively used in
traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of hypertension, rheumatism, and diabetes.
The anti-atherogenic effect of Terminalia bellirica fruit has not been fully elucidated. Here, we
investigated the effect of Terminalia bellirica extract (TBE) on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation
and inflammation in macrophages. TBE showed 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical
scavenging activity (EC50: 7.2 1.2 g/mL) and 15-lipoxygenase inhibitory activity. TBE also
significantly inhibited free radical-induced LDL oxidation compared to the solvent control in vitro.
In THP-1 macrophages, TBE treatment resulted in significant decreases of the mRNA expression
of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-), interleukin-1beta (IL-1), and lectin-like oxidized LDL
receptor-1 (LOX-1). TBE also reduced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 secretion and intracellular
reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in THP-1 macrophages. These results show that TBE has
the inhibitory effects on LDL oxidation and macrophage inflammatory response in vitro, suggesting
that its in vivo use might inhibit atherosclerosis plaque progression.