The Modulation of Nrf-2/HO-1 Signaling Axis by Carthamus tinctorius L. Alleviates Vascular Inflammation in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells.

Yun Jung Lee,Chae Ghang Jeong,Byung Hyuk Han,Jung Joo Yoon,Se Hoon Jang,Yong Pyo Lee,Dae Gill Kang,Chang Seob Seo,Ho Sub Lee,Eun Sik Choi,Yeun Ja Mun

doi:10.3390/plants10122795

Abstract

Carthamus tinctorius L., known as safflower, has been used in traditional treatment for cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and diabetic vascular complications. We proposed to investigate how the ethanol extract of Carthamus tinctorius L. (ECT) can be used ethnopharmacologically and alleviate vascular inflammatory processes under cytokine stimulation in human vascular endothelial cells. Using the optimized HPLC method, six markers were simultaneously analyzed for quality control of ECT. Pretreatment with ECT (10–100 μg/mL) significantly reduced the increase of leukocyte adhesion to HUVEC by TNF-α in a dose-dependent manner. Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) such as intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and endothelial cell selectin (E-selectin) are decreased by ECT. In addition, ECT significantly suppressed TNF-α-induced oxidative stress referring to reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. p65 NF-κB nuclear translocation and its activation were inhibited by ECT. Furthermore, pretreatment of ECT increased the HO-1 expression, and nuclear translocation of Nrf-2. These data suggest the potential role of ECT as a beneficial therapeutic herb in vascular inflammation via ROS/NF-kB pathway and the regulation of Nrf-2/HO-1 signaling axis is involved in its vascular protection. Thus, further study will be needed to clarify which compound is dominant for protection of vascular diseases.

Highlights

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally according to a report of published by Statistics WTO, and cerebrovascular disease and cardiovascular disease were the major causes of mortality
Infiltrated leukocytes can be differentiated into macrophages and release tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and crucial risk factor for atherosclerosis because inflammation is closely regulated by signaling processes in vessel [1,2]
As a result of quantifying the marker compounds in flowers of C. tinctorius using this High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method, it was detected as 0.02–1.59 mg/g (Table 3)

Summary

Introduction

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally according to a report of published by Statistics WTO, and cerebrovascular disease and cardiovascular disease were the major causes of mortality. Atherosclerosis is a pathologic process caused by oxidative stress, chronic vascular dysfunction, and vascular inflammation. Once vascular endothelium is activated, leukocytes attach to vascular endothelium, subsequently migrate into the vessel wall. Infiltrated leukocytes can be differentiated into macrophages and release tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and crucial risk factor for atherosclerosis because inflammation is closely regulated by signaling processes in vessel [1,2]. Cell adhesion molecules play crucial roles in these events. Intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (CD54, ICAM-1) is an 85–110 kDa integral membrane glycoprotein

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Discussion

Conclusion