現代人生活型態改變，飲食習慣也跟著改變，高油少蔬菜的飲食導致心血管疾病增加，動脈粥狀硬化則是主要的危險因子，而低密度脂蛋白(LDL)的氧化修飾以及巨噬細胞所受到的脂質過氧化作用皆在動脈粥狀硬化的過程中扮演重要的角色。近來研究顯示植物中天然的抗氧化成份具有降低罹患心血管疾病及某些癌症的危險性。本研究的目的為評估山葵萃取物在抗LDL氧化及抗動脈粥狀硬化之作用，藉由進行體外抗氧化及細胞實驗來驗証。本實驗先經冷凍乾燥萃取出山葵，並進行成份分析，接著，在抗氧化能力方面，發現山葵具清除自由基DPPH的能力，以銅離子誘導LDL氧化的模式進行體外抗氧化實驗，並以LDL氧化時其蛋白部分的氧化修飾反應與脂質部分的過氧化反應作為氧化指標。藉由ApoB衍蛋白斷裂現象及LDL蛋白表面電荷改變的程度與脂質過氧化產物MDA的生成量減少的結果發現，山葵萃取物具有抑制LDL氧化的能力。而在細胞實驗方面，山葵萃取物因會抑制LDL的氧化，而巨噬細胞只會吞下ox-LDL，所以會抑制巨噬細胞轉變成泡沫細胞，這些現象都會減緩動脈粥狀硬化的發生。由上述體外抗氧化實驗與細胞實驗結果顯示，山葵萃取物具有抗氧化活性並能抑制LDL的氧化，進而調控巨噬細胞減少泡沫細胞的形成。綜合以上結果，認為山葵萃取物具有預防動脈粥狀硬化的作用，或許能應用於保健食品的開發。
With changing lifestyle and eating habits people consuming more oil and less vegetable in meals will lead to an increased possibility of cardiovascular diseases. Atherosclerosis is the major risk factor for such diseases. The oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and macrophages cells by lipid peroxidation play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Recent studies indicated that plants have natural antioxidants which reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and some cancers. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Wasabia japonica extract for anti-LDL oxidation and anti-atherosclerosis through verification by in vitro anti-oxidation and cell experiments. We first analyzed the components of Wasabia japonica water extract. For anti-oxidation capability, Wasabia japonica extract was able to scavenge DPPH free radicals. Further studies were conducted with the copper ion-induced LDL oxidation model. Based on the results of ApoB fragmentation, extent of electric charge change on the surface of LDL, and formation of lipid peroxidation product, MDA, it showed that Wasabia japonica extract has the ability to inhibit LDL oxidation. In cell experiments, Wasabia japonica extract was able to the uptake of ox-LDL by macrophage cells. Taken together, the results of present study showed that Wasabia japonica extract has antioxidant activity and inhibits LDL oxidation, thereby reduces formation of foam cells. These activities will reduce the incidence of atherosclerosis. Therefore, the evidences support that Wasabia japonica extract could be used as a healthy food for the prevention of atherosclerosis in the future
