Inhibition of rat vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation by extract of Ligusticum chuanxiong and Angelica sinensis

Ligusticum chuanxiong (LC) and Angelica sinensis (AS) have been widely used as traditional Chinese medicine to treat some pathological settings such as atherosclerosis and hypertension. The aim of this paper is to determine the effects of the extract of LC and AS (ELCAS) on serum-induced vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation, cell cycle and nitric oxide production. The results show that ELCAS significantly inhibited proliferation and protein synthesis of VSMC in a dose and time dependent manner. The cell population assessed by flow cytometry in the G(0)/G(1) phase increased 74% versus 79.8%, concomitant with a decrease in the S phase, 7.4% versus 4.2%, for control versus ELCAS (300 microg/ml). On the other hand, ELCAS significantly increased nitric oxide production of VSMC. The data suggest that ELCAS markedly inhibited VSMC proliferation by arresting G(1) to S progression, which may be associated with nitric oxide production.     

大黄素对血管紧张素Ⅱ诱导血管平滑肌细胞增殖的影响

目的:观察大黄素对血管紧张素Ⅱ(AngⅡ)诱导血管平滑肌细胞(VSMC)增殖的影响及机制。方法:斑贴法培养大鼠主动脉VSMC,AngⅡ刺激VSMC建立细胞增殖模型。采用MTT法检测细胞增殖,观察大黄素(10,20,40,80μmol.L^-1)、亚硝基-精氨酸甲酯(L-NAME,100μmol.L^-1)对AngⅡ诱导VSMC增殖的影响。免疫组化法检测增殖细胞核抗原(PCNA)表达;硝酸还原酶及化学比色法测细胞上清液中一氧化氮(NO)、一氧化氮合酶(NOS)、诱导型一氧化氮合酶(iNOS)水平。半定量逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)检测VSMC iNOS mRNA的表达。结果:大黄素在10~80μmol.L^-1呈剂量及时间依赖性抑制VSMC增殖,但可被100μmol.L^-1的L-NAME部分抵消;大黄素能减少PCNA阳性细胞表达,升高NO,NOS,iNOS水平,增加iNOS mRNA的表达。结论:大黄素对AngⅡ诱导的VSMC增殖有抑制作用,抑制VSMC PCNA的表达,上调iNOS基因表达,升高NO水平可能是其发挥作用的机制。     

2,3,4',5-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside inhibits proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells: involvement of NO/cGMP/PKG pathway

The proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) induced by injury to the intima of arteries is an important etiologic factor in vascular proliferative disorders such as atherosclerosis and restenosis. 2,3,4',5-Tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside (TSG), an active component extracted from Polygonum multiflorum, has been found to have an antiatherosclerotic effect. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of TSG on platelet derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB induced VSMCs proliferation and to explore the possible mechanisms of such effects. Pretreatment of VSMCs with TSG significantly inhibited PDGF-BB-induced cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent but not time-dependent manner. In addition, flow cytometry analysis of the DNA content revealed blocking of the PDGF-BB-inducible cell cycle progression by TSG. On the contrary, an inhibitory effect of TSG on VSMCs proliferation and expression of cell cycle regulators were markedly attenuated by addition of an nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, a soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor and a cyclic GMP (cGMP)-dependent protein kinase (PKG) inhibitor: N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), 1H-[1,2,4] oxadiazolo [4,3-α] quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) and KT5823, respectively. It was also demonstrated that TSG enhanced NO and cGMP formation through up-regulating endothelial NO synthase expression in VSMCs. The findings indicate that TSG inhibited VSMCs proliferation induced by PDGF-BB may involve the NO/cGMP/PKG signal pathway.     

滋补肝肾,益气活血方药对血管平滑肌细胞增殖及相关基因表 …

目的：采用血清药理学方法研究滋补肝肾、益气活血方药对内皮素（ＥＴ）诱导的自发性高血压大鼠（ＳＨＲ）和ＷＫＹ大鼠血管平滑肌细胞（ＶＳＭＣ）增殖及相关基因表达的影响。方法：采用＾３Ｈ－ＴｄＲ掺入实验检测ＶＳＭＣ增殖状态,Ｎｏｒｔｈｅｒｎ杂交,反转录－聚合酶链反应（ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ）检测中药血甭中ＶＳＭＣ诱导一氧化氮合酶基因和ＥＴ－诱导和ｃ－ｊｕｎ、增殖细胞怕（ＰＣＮＡ）基因表达活性的影响。结果：中导型一氧     

滋补肝肾、益气活血方药对血管平滑肌细胞增殖及相关基因表达的影响

目的:采用血清药理学方法研究滋补肝肾、益气活血方药对内皮素(ET)诱导的自发性高血压大鼠(SHR)和WKY大鼠血管平滑肌细胞(VSMC)增殖及相关基因表达的影响。方法:采用3HTdR掺入实验检测VSMC增殖状态,应用Northern杂交、反转录聚合酶链反应(RTPCR)检测中药血清对VSMC诱导型一氧化氮合酶(iNOS)基因和ET诱导的cjun、增殖细胞核抗原(PCNA)基因表达活性的影响。结果:中药血清可明显抑制ET对VSMC的促丝裂作用(P<005);抑制原癌基因cjun和PCNA基因表达,促进iNOS转录。结论:滋补肝肾、益气活血方药通过调节iNOS和细胞增殖相关基因的表达活性进而阻止VSMC增殖。     

Anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic activities of Gastrodia elata Blume

Gastrodia elata Blume rhizome has been traditionally used as a folk medicine for centuries in Oriental countries. Its ethanol extract (GEE) and subsequent fractions were used to evaluate anti-angiogenic, anti-inflammatory and related activities of Gastrodia elata. GEE potently inhibited angiogenesis in the chick chorioallantoic membrane assay, and its n-butanol fraction (BuOH) exerted the higher inhibitory effect. In a dose-dependent manner, GEE inhibited vascular permeability induced by acetic acid. GEE and its BuOH fraction exerted an inhibitory activity on exudate production, leukocyte migration and nitric oxide (NO) level in rat air-pouch model. GEE caused a dose-dependent inhibition of acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing in mice. In addition, GEE inhibited NO production and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) upon stimulation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in RAW264.7 macrophages. In summary, we demonstrate some novel pharmacological activities of Gastrodia elata, such as anti-angiogenic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities, and in vivo and in vitro inhibitory activity on NO production.     

Anti-atherogenic effects of the aqueous extract of rhubarb in rats fed an atherogenic diet

The present study was designed to investigate whether the aqueous extract of rhubarb (AR) could prevent the development of atherosclerosis through regulating vascular inflammatory processes in rats fed with an atherogenic diet. AR significantly reduced plasma low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and increased plasma high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol in rats fed with an atherogenic diet. AR inhibited vascular expressions of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE) induced in rats with an atherogenic diet. On the other hand, AR augmented the vascular expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (ecNOS) and restored vascular nitric oxide (NO) production. Furthermore, AR suppressed the elevated expression of vascular nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) p65 as well as adhesion molecules, including intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and E-selectin in rats fed with an atherogenic diet. Also, AR decreased endothelial expression of ICAM-1 and ET-1 in aorta. These results suggest that AR suppresses the development of atherosclerosis in the atherogenic-diet rat model through inhibiting vascular expressions of proinflammatory and adhesion molecules via the regulation of nitric oxide and endothelin system.     

银杏叶提取物对同型半胱氨酸致血管内皮细胞损伤的保护作用

目的:研究银杏叶提取物(EGb)对同型半胱氨酸诱导的人脐静脉内皮细胞株ECV304细胞损伤的保护作用。方法:用硝酸还原酶法和化学比色法测定细胞NO生成量及内皮型一氧化氮合酶(eNOS)活性;并分别用逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)和免疫组织化学技术检测同型半胱氨酸和EGb对内皮细胞eNOS mRNA和蛋白表达的影响。结果:同型半胱氨酸使内皮细胞eNOS mRNA和蛋白表达减少,eNOS活性降低,NO生成减少。与同型半胱氨酸组相比,EGb干预组可上调eNOS mRNA和蛋白的表达,增强eNOS活性,使NO生成增多。结论:同型半胱氨酸通过下调eNOS表达损伤内皮细胞功能,而EGb可预防这一影响从而对内皮细胞产生保护作用。     

虫草菌丝中3种活性成分对血管新生与内皮细胞功能的影响

目的探讨虫草菌丝中的3种活性成分(虫草素、腺苷、麦角甾醇)对血管新生和肝内皮细胞功能的影响。方法采用鸡胚绒毛尿囊膜实验和转基因斑马鱼实验分别观察虫草素、腺苷、麦角甾醇对新生血管面积、功能血管数量及碱性磷酸酶变化的影响;MTT法测定3个化合物对人肝癌SK-HEP-1细胞的细胞毒活性;采用血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)诱导SK-HEP-1细胞增殖为模型,以索拉非尼为阳性对照药,MTT法测定3个化合物对细胞增殖的影响,Transwell法观察细胞迁移,Matrigel管腔形成实验观察细胞管腔形成情况,荧光探针法检测胞内一氧化氮(NO)的量和一氧化氮合酶(NOS)活性。结果虫草菌丝中腺苷、麦角甾醇能够显著抑制鸡胚绒毛尿囊膜血管新生、减少转基因斑马鱼功能血管数量,而虫草素能够促进鸡胚绒毛尿囊膜血管新生;与对照组相比,VEGF可诱导SK-HEP-1细胞增殖,促进细胞迁移和管腔形成,并可使其胞内NO水平和NOS活性显著升高;与模型组相比,虫草素、腺苷、麦角甾醇呈剂量依赖性地抑制SK-HEP-1细胞增殖,腺苷、麦角甾醇能抑制SK-HEP-1细胞迁移,3者均可不同程度地抑制SK-HEP-1细胞管腔形成,且剂量依赖性地降低胞内NO水平和NOS活性。结论虫草菌丝中的虫草素、腺苷、麦角甾醇对SK-HEP-1细胞增殖、迁移、管腔形成有不同程度的抑制作用,其中腺苷的作用尤为明显;其机制与抑制细胞内NO水平和NOS活性有关。     

黄芪、当归对血管平滑肌细胞粘着斑激酶表达和细胞凋亡的影响

目的：探讨黄芪,当归对体外培养的血管平滑肌细胞（VSMC）粘着斑激酶（FAK）表达和细胞凋亡的影响。方法：应用RT-PCR,Western blot检测黄芪,当归对FAK表达的影响;应用Greiss试剂检测VSMC培养液中NO2^-含量;应用流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡及bcl-2和caspase-3表达活性。结果：黄芪,当归注射液可以显著抑制由碱性成纤维细胞生长因子所诱导的FAK表达。增加细胞培养液中的NO2^-含量,诱导cas-pase-3表达,下调bcl-2表达,促进体外培养的VSMC凋亡。结论：黄芪,当归诱导VSMC凋亡与其促进NO合成,抑制FAK表达,诱导促凋亡基因caspase-3表达及下调抗凋亡基因bcl-2表达有关。     

Antiinflammatory evaluation of alcoholic extract of galls of Quercus infectoria

Galls of Quercus infectoria Olivier (Fagaceae) possess pleiotropic therapeutic activities, with particular efficacy against inflammatory diseases. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of alcoholic extract of Q. infectoria galls on various in vivo and in vitro experimental models of inflammation. Oral administration of gall extract significantly inhibited carrageenan, histamine, serotonin and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) induced paw oedemas, while topical application of gall extract inhibited phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) induced ear inflammation. The extract also inhibited various functions of macrophages and neutrophils relevant to the inflammatory response. In vitro exposure of rat peritoneal macrophages to gall extract ameliorated lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated PGE₂ and nitric oxide (NO) production and PMA stimulated superoxide (O₂√⁻) production in a dose dependent manner. Gall extract also scavenged NO and O₂√⁻. Probing into mechanism of NO inhibition in macrophages revealed gall extract to ameliorate the induction of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), respectively without any inhibitory effect on its catalytic activities even at higher concentrations. Gall extract also significantly inhibited formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP) stimulated degranulation in neutrophils. These results suggest that alcoholic extract of galls of Q. infectoria exerts in vivo antiinflammatory activity after oral or topical administration and also has the ability to prevent the production of some inflammatory mediators.     

Anti-inflammatory activity of Taraxacum officinale

Taraxacum officinale has been widely used as a folkloric medicine for the treatment of diverse diseases. The dried plant was extracted with 70% ethanol to generate its ethanol extract (TEE). For some experiments, ethyl acetate (EA), n-butanol (BuOH) and aqueous (Aq) fractions were prepared in succession from TEE. TEE showed a scavenging activity in the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, a diminishing effect on intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, and an anti-angiogenic activity in the chicken chorioallantoic (CAM) assay. In the carrageenan-induced air pouch model, TEE inhibited production of exudate, and significantly diminished nitric oxide (NO) and leukocyte levels in the exudate. It also possessed an inhibitory effect on acetic acid-induced vascular permeability and caused a dose-dependent inhibition on acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing in mice. Suppressive effects of TEE on the production of NO and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages were also assessed. Among the fractions, the n-butanol fraction (BuOH) was identified to be most effective in the CAM assay. Collectively, Taraxacum officinale contains anti-angiogenic, anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities through its inhibition of NO production and COX-2 expression and/or its antioxidative activity.     

Acanthopanax senticosus inhibits nitric oxide production in murine macrophages in vitro and in vivo

Excess nitric oxide (NO) production has been implicated in inflammatory diseases. The present study investigated the inhibitory effect of the stem bark extract of Acanthopanax senticosus (A. senticosus) on NO production in murine macrophages in vitro and in vivo. In vitro exposure of RAW264.7 cells to 1, 10, 50, 100, 250, 500 and 1000 microg/mL of A. senticosus extract significantly suppressed NO production induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) in a dose-dependent manner. In vitro exposure of mouse resident peritoneal macrophages to 1, 10, 100 and 1000 microg/mL of A. senticosus extract significantly suppressed NO production induced by LPS and IFN-gamma in a dose-dependent manner. In vivo administration of A. senticosus extract (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) to KM mice dose-dependently inhibited LPS and IFN-gamma induced production of NO in isolated mouse peritoneal macrophages ex vivo. Exposure to A. senticosus extract had no effect on cell viability and systemic toxicity. The results demonstrated that the stem bark extract of A. senticosus extract inhibits NO production in murine macrophages in vitro and in vivo.     

鸡枞菌粉提取物镇痛抗炎作用的研究

目的:研究鸡枞菌粉提取物的镇痛抗炎作用。方法:采用醋酸扭体实验,甲醛致痛模型,二甲苯致耳肿胀模型及角叉菜胶致足肿胀模型观察鸡枞菌粉及其提取物镇痛抗炎作用。同时对小鼠炎症渗出液中PGE2,SOD,MDA,NO和NOS进行测定。结果:鸡枞菌粉提取物均能降低小鼠醋酸引起的扭体次数,减少甲醛致痛实验中小鼠舔足时间;抑制二甲苯致小鼠耳肿胀及角叉菜胶引起的小鼠足肿胀。对炎症介质也有较好的抑制作用。结论:鸡枞菌粉提取物具有明显镇痛抗炎作用。     

Antiinflammatory effects of Epimedium brevicornum water extract on lipopolysaccharide‐activated RAW264.7 macrophages

Epimedium brevicornum Maxim (Berberidaceae) possesses estrogenic properties. It is one of the most widespread herbal remedies used in Oriental medicine. The present study investigated the effects of Epimedium brevicornum water extract (EB) on proinflammatory mediators secreted from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced RAW264.7 macrophages. EB significantly inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO), interleukin (IL)‐3, IL‐10, IL‐12p40, interferon‐inducible protein‐10, keratinocyte‐derived chemokine, vascular endothelial growth factor, monocyte chemotactic protein‐1 and granulocyte macrophage‐colony stimulating factor in LPS‐induced RAW264.7 cells at concentrations of 25, 50, 100 and 200 μg/mL (p < 0.05). These results suggest that EB has antiinflammatory activity related to its inhibition of NO, cytokine, chemokine and growth factor production in macrophages. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ethanol extract of propolis inhibits nitric oxide synthase gene expression and enzyme activity

Propolis obtained from honeybee hives has been used in Oriental folk medicine as an anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, or immunomodulatory agent. However, the molecular basis for anti-inflammatory properties of propolis has not yet been established. Since nitric oxide (NO) synthesized by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) has been known to be involved in inflammatory and autoimmune-mediated tissue destruction, modulation of NO synthesis or action represents a new approach to the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The present study, therefore, examined effects of ethanol extract of propolis (EEP) on iNOS expression and activity of iNOS enzyme itself. Treatment of RAW 264.7 cells with EEP significantly inhibited NO production and iNOS protein expression induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plus interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). EEP also inhibited iNOS mRNA expression and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) binding activity in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, transfection of RAW 264.7 cells with iNOS promoter linked to a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter gene, revealed that EEP inhibited the iNOS promoter activity induced by LPS plus IFN-γ through the NF-κB sites of the iNOS promoter. In addition, EEP directly interfered with the catalytic activity of murine recombinant iNOS enzyme. These results suggest that EEP may exert its anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the iNOS gene expression via action on the NF-κB sites in the iNOS promoter and by directly inhibiting the catalytic activity of iNOS.     

The production of nitric oxide and TNF-alpha in peritoneal macrophages is inhibited by Dichroa febrifuga Lour

Nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) have been suggested to play an important role in endotoxin-mediated shock and inflammation. In this study, we investigated the effect of aqueous extract of Dichroa febrifuga Lour. (Saxifragaceae) roots, a traditional antimalarial drug, on the production of NO and TNF-alpha. The aqueous extract of D. febrifuga roots (AEDF) inhibited the secretion of NO and TNF-alpha in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and/or interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-stimulated mouse peritoneal macrophages, without affecting cell viability. The protein level of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in peritoneal macrophages was also decreased by AEDF. In addition, the serum level of NO was reduced by i.p. administration of AEDF. These results suggest that AEDF suppresses the endotoxin-induced inflammatory responses through inhibiting the production of NO and TNF-alpha, and could be used as an anti-inflammatory drug.     

前荷叶碱对血管紧张素Ⅱ诱导人脐静脉内皮细胞凋亡的影响

目的观察前荷叶碱对血管紧张素Ⅱ(A ngⅡ)诱导人脐静脉内皮细胞(HUVEC s)凋亡的影响,探讨其对HUVEC s的保护作用机制。方法体外培养HUVEC s细胞系ECV 304,以10μm o l/L卡托普利或10、1、0.1、0.01μm o l/L前荷叶碱作用于HUVEC s,30 m in后再加入A ngⅡ1μm o l/L,光镜下观察细胞形态,M TT法观察前荷叶碱对HUVECs活性的影响,比色法测定NO、总一氧化氮合酶(tNOS)、诱导型一氧化氮合酶(iNOS)水平,流式细胞仪测定细胞凋亡率。结果与对照组比较,Ang能明显诱导HUVECs的凋亡(P<0.01),10μmol/L卡托普利及0.01~10μmol/L前荷叶碱可明显改善内皮细胞形态,组织活性明显升高(P<0.05),能增加HUVECs释放NO及生成tNOS(P<0.05),但对iNOS影响不大,使Ang诱导的HUVECs凋亡细胞数明显减少(P<0.05)。结论前荷叶碱通过增加NO生成而抑制Ang诱导的HUVECs凋亡,从而发挥可能的内皮保护功能。     

The anti-inflammatory effects of Pyrolae herba extract through the inhibition of the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and NO production

The extract of Pyrolae herba (PH), which has been used as an anti-inflammatory folk remedy in Korea and China, was investigated for its anti-inflammatory action using arachidonic acid, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate or carrageenan-induced edema assays. The anti-nociceptive activity of PH was also tested in mice using the acetic acid-induced writhing model. PH showed dose-dependent and significant (P<0.05 at 100-400mg/kg) anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities in the animal assays. The mechanism of the activities of PH was examined by testing the extract to determine if it inhibits the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and the production of nitric oxide (NO) from the murine macrophages, RAW 264.7 cells. Similar to the in vivo activities, both the iNOS expression and NO production were significantly suppressed by PH in a dose-dependent manner. PH also inhibited the activating phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase and NF-kappaB in these cells. These results provide a scientific basis to explain the effects of PH as an anti-inflammatory folk remedy in Asian countries.