Aortic dissection is a severe aortic disease, in which the aortic wall is separated into two layers at the medial level, resulting in two lumens being created, a true and a false lumen. Most cases have a sudden onset resulting in death. Therefore, it is required to establish a preventive strategy. Eucommia ulmoides leaf (EUL) extract contains various flavonoids such as quercetin, chlorogenic acid, geniposidic acid, and so on, and it is suggested to have a protective effect against cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we investigated the preventive effect of EUL on the onset of aortic dissection.

We generated pharmacologically-induced aortic dissection model mice (LAB model). In C57Bl / 6J mice, three agents are administered; (1) nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (L-NAME) that causes vascular endothelial damage, (2) angiotensin II (Ang II) that causes hypertention, and (3) lysyl oxidase inhibitor (BAPN) that causes medial fragility. EUL extract was orally administered daily throughout the experiment.

Hypertension, caused by Ang II+BAPN loading was significantly suppressed by EUL. In the LAB model, macrophage infiltration into the aortic wall was increased, but it was suppressed by EUL administration. As a result, EUL showed the preventive effects against the onset of aortic aneurysm, dissection, and death from rupture.