Inhibitory Effect of Ethanol Extract from Folium et Ramulus Securinegae on TNF‐α induced vascular inflammation in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

Abstract

Folium et Ramulus Securinegae (FRS) is known as a drug that protects and strengthen kidney and spleen by improving the blood circulation and relaxing muscles and tendons. This study investigated whether FRS has protective effect of inhibiting the vascular inflammation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by inducing nitric oxide (NO) production and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) coupling pathway. Results showed that FRS suppressed TNF-α (Tumor necrosis factor–α) induced protein and mRNA levels of cell adhesion molecules such as intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6). Pretreatment of HUVEC with FRS decreased the adhesion of HL-60 cells to Ox-LDL (Oxidized Low-Density-Lipoprotein)-induced HUVEC. Moreover, FRS inhibited TNF-α induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. FRS also inhibited phosphorylation of IκB-α in cytoplasm and translocation of NF-κB (Nuclear factor-kappa B) p65 to the nucleus. FRS increased NO production, as well increased the phosphorylation of eNOS and Akt (protein kinase B) which are related with NO production. In addition, FRS increased the protein expression of GTPCH (Guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase Ⅰ) and the production of BH4 in HUVEC which are related with eNOS coupling pathway. Overall, the present data suggest that FRS has a protective effect against vascular inflammation and can be a potential therapeutic agent for early atherosclerosis.