Identification of ostruthin from Peucedanum ostruthium rhizomes as an inhibitor of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation

Inhibition of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation is of substantial interest in combating cardiovascular disease. A dichloromethane extract from the rhizomes of Peucedanum ostruthium, a traditionally used Austrian medicinal plant with anti-inflammatory properties, was examined for a putative antiproliferative activity in rat aortic VSMC. This extract inhibited serum (10%)-induced VSMC proliferation concentration dependently. Further identification and biological testing of its major constituents revealed that the coumarin ostruthin (7) is the major antiproliferative substance. In summary, a new bioactivity of P. ostruthium rhizomes is described, and 7 has been identified as the responsible compound.