Objective:

To evaluate the effects of ethanolic extracts from Rosmarinus officinalis, Cynara cardunculus, and Myrtus communis on mitochondrial damage induced by oxidized LDL in endothelial cells.

Approach:

• Cell Viability and Proliferation Assessment: MTT assay and acridine orange staining were used to evaluate cell viability and proliferation under therapeutic-equivalent concentrations.
• Mitochondrial Membrane Potential Measurement: Rhodamine 6G was utilized to assess mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) in treated cells.
• Gene Expression Analysis: RT-qPCR analyzed the expression of genes related to mitochondrial dynamics, mitophagy, and antioxidant defense in response to treatment.

Key Findings:

• All extracts preserved mitochondrial membrane potential and architecture in healthy HUVECs in a dose-dependent manner.
• In the ox-LDL model, extracts downregulated pro-fission genes (DRP1, FIS1, MFF) and upregulated fusion genes (MFN2, OPA1).
• C. cardunculus significantly upregulated PINK1 and PARKIN, enhancing mitophagy.
• R. officinalis and M. communis increased FUNDC1 and OPTN, indicating receptor-mediated clearance pathways.
• Extract treatment increased antioxidant enzyme (CAT) levels and suppressed pro-inflammatory MAPK8 (JNK).

Interpretation:

Limitations:

• The study was conducted in vitro, limiting the applicability of findings to in vivo conditions.
• Further research is needed to explore the long-term effects and mechanisms of these extracts in atherosclerosis.

Conclusion: