Fig. 7: Model of the effects of DHC.

By acting on macrophages, DHC inhibits the p65 and ERK1/2 pathways, leading to decreased expression of TNFα, iNOS, CD80, NLRP3, IL-1β, and IL-18. Consequently, DHC improves vascular function and attenuates atherosclerosis in western diet-fed ApoE^−/− mice.