Petroleum ether extract of Njavara rice (Oryza sativa) bran upregulates the JAK2-STAT3-mediated anti-inflammatory profile in macrophages and aortic endothelial cells promoting regression of atherosclerosis.

"Njavara" (Oryza sativa L.) is a unique rice variety grown in Kerala that is reported to have significantly higher antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, chemical indices, and bioactive components compared with staple rice varieties. However, the role of NBE in reversing the atherosclerosis development remains unclear. The present study aimed to elucidate the role of NBE in promoting atherosclerotic regression. Male New Zealand white breed rabbits were divided into three groups. Group I was the control, group II was the regression control, and group III was NBE treated (100 mg/kg body mass). Serum and tissue lipids, CRP, antioxidant enzyme activities, mRNA, and protein expression of genes of RTC and mRNA expression of cytokines were studied. The current study showed that hypercholesterolemic rabbits treated with NBE decreased the serum and tissue lipids concentrations, ApoB expression, and CRP levels and enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes and PON1expression, JAK2, STAT3, ABCA1, and ApoA. Our results indicate that NBE attenuates proinflammatory cytokine production (IL-1β), enhanced expression and interactions of ABCA1/ApoA1 leading to JAK2/STAT3 activation in macrophages switching to an anti-inflammatory milieu in the system, and enhanced expression of IL-10 and decreased expression of ApoB, indicating that treatment with NBE facilitates plaque regression.