Suppressive effect of formononetin on platelet-derived growth factor-BB-stimulated proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells

Therapeutic potential of traditional Chinese medicine in atherosclerosis: A review

Atherosclerosis is the onset of endothelial cell damage and is characterized by abnormal accumulation of fibrinogen and lipid in large and middle arteries. Recent researches indicate that traditional Chinese medicine including Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Astragali Radix, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Fructus Crataegi, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Polygoni Multiflori Radix, Fructus Lycii, and Coptidis Rhizoma have therapeutic effects on atherosclerosis. Furthermore, the pharmacological roles of these kinds of traditional Chinese medicine in atherosclerosis refer to endothelial function influences, cell proliferation and migration, platelet aggregation, thrombus formation, oxidative stress, inflammation, angiogenesis, apoptosis, autophagy, lipid metabolism, and the gut microbiome. Traditional Chinese medicine may serve as potential and effective anti-atherosclerosis drugs. However, a critical study has shown that Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma may also have toxic effects including pustules, fever, and elevate circulating neutrophil count. Further high-quality studies are still required to determine the clinical safety and efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine and its active ingredients.

Role of Phaseolus vulgaris L. in the Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases-Cardioprotective Potential of Bioactive Compounds

In terms of safe and healthy food, beans play a relevant role. This crop belongs to the species of Phaseolusvulgaris L., being the most consumed legume worldwide, both for poor and developed countries, the latter seek to direct their diet to healthy feeding, mainly low in fat. Phaseolus vulgaris L. stands out in this area-an important source of protein, vitamins, essential minerals, soluble fiber, starch, phytochemicals, and low in fat from foods. This species has been attributed many beneficial properties for health; it has effects on the circulatory system, immune system, digestive system, among others. It has been suggested that Phaseolus vulgaris L. has a relevant role in the prevention of cardiovascular events, the main cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Conversely, the decrease in the consumption of this legume has been related to an increase in the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases. This review will allow us to relate the nutritional level of this species with cardiovascular events, based on the correlation of the main bioactive compounds and their role as cardiovascular protectors, in addition to revealing the main mechanisms that explain the cardioprotective effects regulated by the bioactive components.

Phytochemistry and cardiovascular protective effects of Huang-Qi (Astragali Radix)

Huang-Qi (Astragali Radix) is an herbal tonic widely used in China and many other countries. It is derived from the roots of Astragalus membranaceus and A. membranaceus var. mongholicus and shows potent cardiovascular protective effects. In this article, we comprehensively reviewed 189 small molecules isolated from the two Astragalus species and discussed the interspecies chemical differences. Moreover, we summarized the pharmacological activities and mechanisms of action of Huang-Qi and its major bioactive compounds for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. This review covers 171 references published between February 1983 and March 2020.

Formononetin attenuates monocrotaline‑induced pulmonary arterial hypertension via inhibiting pulmonary vascular remodeling in rats

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a life‑threatening disease induced by the excessive proliferation and reduced apoptosis of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). Formononetin (FMN) is a natural isoflavone with numerous cardioprotective properties, which can inhibit the proliferation and induce the apoptosis of tumor cells; however, whether FMN has a therapeutic effect on PAH remains unclear. In the present study, PAH was induced in rats with monocrotaline (MCT, 60 mg/kg); rats were then administered FMN (10, 30 or 60 mg/kg/day). At the end of the experiment, hemodynamic changes, right ventricular hypertrophy and lung morphological characteristics were evaluated. α‑smooth muscle actin (α‑SMA), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and TUNEL were detected by immunohistochemical staining. The expression of PCNA, Bcl‑2‑associated X protein (Bax), Bcl‑2 and, cleaved caspase‑3, and activation of AKT and ERK were examined by western blot analysis. The results demonstrated that FMN significantly ameliorated the right ventricular systolic pressure, right ventricular hypertrophy, and pulmonary vascular remodeling induced by MCT. FMN also attenuated MCT‑induced increased expression of α‑SMA and PCNA. The ratio of Bax/Bcl‑2 and cleaved caspase‑3 expression increased in rat lung tissue in response to FMN treatment. Furthermore, reduced phosphorylation of AKT and ERK was also observed in FMN‑treated rats. Therefore, FMN may provide protection against MCT‑induced PAH by preventing pulmonary vascular remodeling, potentially by suppressing the PI3K/AKT and ERK pathways in rats.

Effect of Korean Magnolia obovata Extract on Platelet-Derived Growth Factor-Induced Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of Korean Magnolia obovata crude extract (KME) on plateletderived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-induced proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).

METHODS

KME composition was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). VSMCs were isolated from the aorta of a Sprague-Dawley rat, incubated in serum free-Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium in the presence or absence of KME (10, 30, 100, and 300 μg/mL), then further treated with PDGF-BB (10 ng/mL). VSMC proliferation was detected using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and VSMC migration was determined using the Boyden chamber and scratch wound healing assays. Western blot analysis was used to detect phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 (p-ERK1/2), protein kinase B (p-Akt), and stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (p-SAPK/JNK). The antimigration and proliferation effects of KME were tested using aortic sprout outgrowth.

RESULTS

The HPLC analysis identified honokiol (0.45 mg/g) and magnolol (0.34 mg/g) as the major components of KME. KME (30, 100, and 300 μg/mL) significantly decreased the proliferation and migration of PDGF-BB-stimulated (10 ng/mL) VSMCs and the PDGF-BB-induced phosphorylation of EKR1/2, Akt, and SAPK/JNK (P<0.05). Furthermore, PDGF-BBinduced VSMCs treated with 300 μg/mL of KME showed reduction in aortic sprout outgrowth.

CONCLUSION

KME could inhibit abnormal proliferation and migration of VSMCs by down-regulating the phosphorylation of EKR1/2 and Akt. Thus, KME might be a functional food for preventing vascular disorders.

Hydroxysafflor yellow A suppresses angiogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma through inhibition of p38 MAPK phosphorylation

The antitumor effect of hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA), an active ingredient of the herb Carthamus tinctorius L. (Asteraceae) (safflower), was investigated in the current work. Researches of HSYA on vasculogenesis inhibition, along with the related molecular mechanisms, including the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, and p38MAPK (COX-2, ATF-2, p-p38MAPK, and p38MAPK) signaling pathway in H22 tumor-bearing mice or HepG2 cells were performed. The animal experiments proved the level of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in H22-transplanted tumor tissue in mice markedly decreased by HSYA, and results both in vivo and in vitro confirmed that COX-2 expression was reduced significantly via p38MAPK|ATF-2 signaling pathway. According to the outcomes, HSYA suppressed p38MAPK phosphorylation in a concentration-dependent manner, while exerting no effect on the total p38MAPK protein expression. It was also showed that suppression of p38 activation by SB203580 decreased the HepG2 cell viability, proliferation, and migration, wherein HSYA exhibited a similar effect. Furthermore, Western blot analysis on caspase-3 and cleaved-caspase-3 revealed that HSYA could induce apoptosis of HepG2 cells. These findings provided experimental evidences that HSYA might be a promising anticancer agent for HCC.

Inhibition of Aortic Intimal Hyperplasia and Vascular Smooth Muscle Proliferation and Extracellular Matrix Protein Expressions by Astragalus-Angelica Combination

VSMC proliferation and ECM deposition always resulted in intimal hyperplasia. Astragalus–Angelica combination has a protective effect on the cardiovascular system. The inhibition effect of different Astragalus–Angelica combination on the hyperplastic intima after vascular balloon injury in rats was investigated in this study. Astragalus–Angelica combination can inhibit the intima hyperplasia after balloon injury, in which a 1:1 ratio shows excellent results. Astragalus–Angelica combination can enhance the expression of smooth muscle α-actin (SMа-actin) and inhibit the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), cyclin D1, cyclin E, collagen I (Col-I), fibronectin (FN), and matrix metallopeptidase-9 (MMP-9) in hyperplastic intima, suggesting that Astragalus–Angelica combination can inhibit the intimal hyperplasia of blood vessels in rats. The mechanism is related to the inhibition of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway activation and thereby inhibits the phenotypic transformation and cell proliferation of VSMCs and thus inhibits the extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition of vascular wall during intimal hyperplasia.

Trichosanthin attenuates vascular injury-induced neointimal hyperplasia following balloon catheter injury in rats

Trichosanthin (TCS), isolated from the root tuber of Trichosantheskirilowii, a well-known traditional Chinese medicinal plant, belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family, was found to exhibit numerous biological and pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory. However, the effects of TCS on arterial injury induced neointimal hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration remains poorly understood. The aim of study was to examine the effectiveness of TCS on arterial injury-mediated inflammatory processes and underlying mechanisms. A balloon-injured carotid artery induced injury in vivo in rats was established as a model of vascular injury. After 1 day TCS at 20, 40, or 80 mg/kg/day was administered intraperitoneally, daily for 14 days. Subsequently, the carotid artery was excised and taken for immunohistochemical staining. Data showed that TCS significantly dose-dependently reduced balloon injury-induced neointima formation in the carotid artery model rat, accompanied by markedly decreased positive expression percentage proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). In the in vitro study vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) were cultured, proliferation stimulated with platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) (20 ng/ml) and TCS at 1, 2, or 4 μM added. Data demonstrated that TCS inhibited proliferation and cell cycle progression of VSMC induced by PDGF-BB. Further, TCS significantly lowered mRNA expression of cyclinD1, cyclinE1, and c-fos, and protein expression levels of Akt1, Akt2, and mitogen-activated protein kinase MAPK (ERK1) signaling pathway mediated by PDGF-BB. These findings indicate that TCS inhibits vascular neointimal hyperplasia induced by vascular injury in rats by suppression of VSMC proliferation and migration, which may involve inhibition of Akt/MAPK/ERK signal pathway.