Mixed Aqueous Extract of Salvia Miltiorrhiza Reduces Blood Pressure through Inhibition of Vascular Remodelling and Oxidative Stress in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM) contains four major aqueous active ingredients, which have been isolated, purified and identified as danshensu (DSS), salvianolic acid A (Sal-A), salvianolic acid B (Sal-B) and protocatechuic aldehyde (PAL), totally abbreviated as SABP. Although SM is often used to treat various cardiovascular diseases in traditional Chinese medicine, the efficacy and function of optimal compatibility ratio of SM's active ingredients (SABP) in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases remain uncertain. This study investigated antihypertensive effect and underlying mechanisms of SABP vs. SM lyophilized powder (SMLP) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and to establish the ratio of the optimal compatibility of DSS, Sal-A, Sal-B and PAL in improving cardiovascular functions.

METHODS

The SHRs were treated with either SABP or SMLP and their systolic blood pressures (SBP) were monitored. The isolated thoracic aorta of SHRs was segregated for immunohistochemistry, Hematoxylin-Eosin stain and mRNA and protein expression of NOX4, TGF-β1, Col-I, ET-1, α-SMA and Smad7. Moreover, the adventitial fibroblasts (AFs) were isolated and cultured from SD rats' aorta and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was determined after SABP or SMLP treatment.

RESULTS

SABP, but not SMLP, significantly reduced SBP, which were accompanied by the inhibited morphological changes in the thoracic aorta and the reduced mRNA and protein expression of NOX4, TGF-β1, Col-I, ET-1 and α-SMA, but the increased Smad 7 expression in SHRs. Moreover, SABP also resulted in a decreased ROS production in AFs of SD rats.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that SABP, but not SMLP, treatment potently inhibits hypertension through improvements of vascular remodeling and oxidative stress. The present study provides new evidence that the efficacy and function from optimal compatibility ratio of SM active ingredients is much better than its lyophilized powder, which represents a strategy to develop SM's new beneficial effect in improving cardiovascular functions.

[Effect of yiqi jianpi drugs on apoptosis and relevant gene expression in cultured vascular smooth muscle cell]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effect of Yiqi Jianpi (YQJP, supplementing Qi and invigorating Spleen) recipe on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) apoptosis and it's mechanisms.

METHODS

VSMC apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nicked labeling (TUNEL) analysis, transmission electron microscope (TEM), flow cytometry and DNA agarose electrophoresis. The expression activity of bcl-2, c-myc and p53 genes were determined using Northern blotting.

RESULTS

The typical characteristics of apoptotic VSMC was observed following treatment by the YQJP drug serum. The DNA extracted from VSMC revealed a ladder pattern in electrophoresis. Flow cytometric analysis revealed G0/G1 stage cell blocking phenomena, the hypodiploid apoptotic cell increased, displayed typical peak of apoptosis, the rate of cell apoptosis and YQJP serum concentration were in a dose-dependent manner. The result of hybridization showed that 30% of YQJP serum could inhibit apoptotic gene bcl-2 expression, upregulated the level of apoptogenous gene c-myc and p53 mRNA.

CONCLUSION

VSMC apoptosis could be induced by YQJP recipe and its mechanism might be through affecting the apoptosis related gene expression activity.