Anti-atherogenic effect of San-Huang-Xie-Xin-Tang, a traditional Chinese medicine, in cultured human aortic smooth muscle cells

Abstract

Aim of the study: San-huang-xie-xin-tang (SHXXT) is a traditional Chinese medicine and it has been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect. Since inflammation is one of the major mechanisms of atherosclerosis, we aimed to investigate anti-atherosclerotic effect of SHXXT in human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs).

Materials and methods: Human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) were used in the present study, and rendered atherosclerosis by adding lipopolysaccharides. We first tested the effects of SHXXT on HASMC migration and proliferation as they present the major morphological change of atherosclerosis. We also examined whether SHXXT can influence the production of several biomarkers of inflammation and atherosclerosis including reactive oxygen species (ROS), COX-2, ERK1/2, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and MCP-1.

Results: Using the dimethyl-thiazol-diphenyltetrazoliumbromide (MTT) and wound repair assay, SHXXT was shown to significantly reduce HASMC proliferation and migration, respectively. From the fluorometric assay, SHXXT significantly reduced ROS production. SHXXT down regulated mRNA and protein levels for the COX-2 gene. In addition, phosphorylated ERK1/2 levels were suppressed by SHXXT suggesting HASMC division can be inhibited under pro-inflammatory condition. SHXXT significantly inhibited the production of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and MCP-1 after LPS stimulation.

Conclusions: Our results indicated that SHXXT can influence several mechanisms involved in atherosclerosis, which suggests that SHXXT may have a therapeutic potential for cardiovascular disease associated with atherosclerosis.