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

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 2795
Author(s):  
Yun Jung Lee ◽  
Yong Pyo Lee ◽  
Chang Seob Seo ◽  
Eun Sik Choi ◽  
Byung Hyuk Han ◽  
...  

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.

2007 ◽  
Vol 55 (7) ◽  
pp. 721-733 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshihiko Sawa ◽  
Yukitaka Sugimoto ◽  
Takeshi Ueki ◽  
Hiroyuki Ishikawa ◽  
Atuko Sato ◽  
...  

TNF-α alters leukocyte adhesion molecule expression of cultured endothelial cells like human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). This study was designed to investigate the changes in vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) expression with TNF-α stimulation in cultured human neonatal dermal lymphatic endothelial cells (HNDLEC). The real-time quantitative PCR analysis on HNDLEC showed that TNF-α treatment leads to increases of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 mRNAs to the 10.8- and 48.2-fold levels of untreated cells and leads to a reduction of PECAM-1 mRNA to the 0.42-fold level of untreated cells. Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis showed that TNF-α leads to VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expressions that were inhibited by antiserum to human TNF receptor or by AP-1 inhibitor nobiletin. In flow cytometry analysis, the number of VCAM-1- and ICAM-1-positive cells increased, and PECAM-1-positive cells decreased with TNF-α treatment. Regarding protein amounts produced in cells and amounts expressed on the cell surface, VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 increased in HNDLEC and HUVEC, and PECAM-1 decreased in HNDLEC in a TNF-α concentration-dependent manner. VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and PECAM-1 protein amounts in TNF-α-stimulated cells were lower in HNDLEC than in HUVEC. This suggests that the lymphatic endothelium has the TNF-α-induced signaling pathway, resulting in increased VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression to a weaker extent than blood endothelium and PECAM-1 reduction to a stronger extent than blood endothelium.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 3448
Author(s):  
Byung Hyuk Han ◽  
Chun Ho Song ◽  
Jung Joo Yoon ◽  
Hye Yoom Kim ◽  
Chang Seob Seo ◽  
...  

Securiniga suffruticosa is known as a drug that has the effect of improving the blood circulation and relaxing muscles and tendons, thereby protects and strengthen kidney and spleen. Therefore, in this study, treatment of Securiniga suffruticosa showed 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. In this study, Securiniga suffruticosa 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 Securiniga suffruticosa decreased the adhesion of HL-60 cells to Ox-LDL (Oxidized Low-Density-Lipoprotein)-induced HUVEC. Moreover, Securiniga suffruticosa inhibited TNF-α induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Securiniga suffruticosa also inhibited phosphorylation of IκB-α in cytoplasm and translocation of NF-κB (Nuclear factor-kappa B) p65 to the nucleus. Securiniga suffruticosa increased NO production, as well increased the phosphorylation of eNOS and Akt (protein kinase B) which are related with NO production. In addition, Securiniga suffruticosa increased the protein expression of GTPCH (Guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase Ⅰ) and the production of BH4 in HUVEC which are related with eNOS coupling pathway. In conclusion, Securiniga suffruticosa has a protective effect against vascular inflammation and can be a potential therapeutic agent for early atherosclerosis.


2010 ◽  
Vol 38 (03) ◽  
pp. 585-598 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun Jung Lee ◽  
Mi Kyoung Moon ◽  
Sun Mi Hwang ◽  
Jung Joo Yoon ◽  
So Min Lee ◽  
...  

Vascular inflammation process has been suggested to be an important risk factor in the initiation and development of atherosclerosis. In this study, we investigated whether and by what mechanisms an aqueous extract of Buddleja officinalis (ABO) inhibited the expressions of cellular adhesion molecules, which are relevant to inflammation and atherosclerosis. Pretreatment of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) with ABO (1–10 μg/ml) for 18 hours dose-dependently inhibited TNF-α-induced adhesion U937 monocytic cells, as well as mRNA and protein expressions of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). Pretreatment with ABO also blocked TNF-α-induced ROS formation. Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) is required in the transcription of these adhesion molecule genes. Western blot analysis revealed that ABO inhibits the translocation of the p65 subunit of NF-κB to the nucleus. ABO inhibited the TNF-α-induced degradation of IκB-α, an inhibitor of NF-κB, by inhibiting the phosphorylation of IκB-α in HUVEC. Taken together, ABO could reduce cytokine-induced endothelial adhesiveness throughout down-regulating intracellular ROS production, NF-κB, and adhesion molecule expression in HUVEC, suggesting that the natural herb Buddleja officinalis may have potential implications in atherosclerosis.


2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jong Suk Lee ◽  
Su-Young Park ◽  
Dinesh Thapa ◽  
Ah Ra Kim ◽  
Heung-Mook Shin ◽  
...  

Vascular inflammation has been implicated in the progression of cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis. In the present study, we found that HMC05, an extract from eight different herbal mixtures, dose-dependently inhibited tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)-induced adhesion of monocytes to endothelial cells. Such inhibitory effect of HMC05 correlated with suppressed expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, CC chemokine receptor 2, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1. In addition, HMC05 significantly inhibited production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation by TNF-α. Those inhibitory effects of HMC05 (1–10 μg mL−1) on the TNF-α-induced inflammatory event was similar to those of berberine (1–10 μM), which is a major component of HMC05 and one of herbal compounds known to have vasorelaxing and lipid-lowering activities. However, berberine significantly reduced the viability of HUVECs in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. In contrast, HMC05 (1–10 μg ml−1) did not affect the cell viability for up to 48 h treatment. In conclusion, we propose that HMC05 may be a safe and potent herbal formula against vascular inflammation, and its action may be attributable to the inhibition of ROS- and NF-κB-dependent expression of adhesion molecules and chemokines.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (21) ◽  
pp. 5383 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Zhang ◽  
Feifei Wang ◽  
Qing Zhang ◽  
Qiuming Liang ◽  
Shumei Wang ◽  
...  

Inflammation is a key mediator in the progression of atherosclerosis (AS). Benzoinum, a resin secreted from the bark of Styrax tonkinensis, has been widely used as a form of traditional Chinese medicine in clinical settings to enhance cardiovascular function, but the active components of the resin responsible for those pharmaceutical effects remain unclear. To better clarify these components, a new phenylpropane derivative termed stybenpropol A was isolated from benzoinum and characterized via comprehensive spectra a nalysis. We further assessed how this phenylpropane derivative affected treatment of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Our results revealed that stybenpropol A reduced soluble intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) expression by ELISA, inhibited apoptosis, and accelerated nitric oxide (NO) release in TNF-α-treated HUVECs. We further found that stybenpropol A decreased VCAM-1, ICAM-1, Bax, and caspase-9 protein levels, and increased the protein levels of Bcl-2, IKK-β, and IκB-α. This study identified a new, natural phenylpropane derivative of benzoinum, and is the first to reveal its cytoprotective effects in the context of TNF-α-treated HUVECs via regulation of the NF-κB and caspase-9 signaling pathways.


2020 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 313-324
Author(s):  
Li-Hua Cao ◽  
Ho Sub Lee ◽  
Zhe-Shan Quan ◽  
Yun Jung Lee ◽  
Yu Jin

<b><i>Objective:</i></b> Xanthotoxin (XAT) is a linear furanocoumarin mainly extracted from the plants <i>Ammi majus</i> L. XAT has been reported the apoptosis of tumor cells, anti-convulsant, neuroprotective effect, antioxidative activity, and vasorelaxant effects. This study aimed to investigate the vascular protective effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of XAT. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> XAT’s activity was studied in rat thoracic aortas, isolated with aortic rings, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). <b><i>Results:</i></b> XAT induced endothelium-dependent vasodilation in a concentration-dependent manner in the isolated rat thoracic aortas. Removal of endothelium or pretreatment of aortic rings with L-NAME, 1<i>H</i>-[1,2,4]-oxadiazolo-[4,3-<i>a</i>]-quinoxalin-1-one, and wortmannin significantly inhibited XAT-induced relaxation. In addition, treatment with thapsigargin, 2-aminoethyl diphenylborinate, Gd<sup>3+</sup>, and 4-aminopyridine markedly attenuated the XAT-induced vasorelaxation. XAT increased nitric oxide production and Akt- endothelial NOS (eNOS) phosphorylation in HUVECs. Moreover, XAT attenuated the expression of TNF-α-induced cell adhesion molecules such as intercellular adhesion molecule, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and E-selectin. However, this effect was attenuated by the eNOS inhibitors L-NAME and asymmetric dimethylarginine. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> This study suggests that XAT induces vasorelaxation through the Akt-eNOS-cGMP pathway by activating the K<sub>V</sub> channel and inhibiting the L-type Ca<sup>2+</sup> channel. Furthermore, XAT exerts an inhibitory effect on vascular inflammation, which is correlated with the observed vascular protective effects.


Gut ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 779-787 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Jobin ◽  
C Hellerbrand ◽  
L L Licato ◽  
D A Brenner ◽  
R B Sartor

Background/aims—The gene promoter for the intercellular adhesion molecule ICAM-1 possesses binding sites for several transcriptional factors, including nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). The role of NF-κB in ICAM-1 gene regulation was therefore examined by using different proteasome inhibitors in tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) stimulated IEC-6 rat intestinal epithelial cells.Methods—ICAM-1 expression was analysed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, and immunohistochemistry. Steady state levels of cytoplasmic IκB protein were evaluated by western blot, and nuclear translocation of NF-κB was determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay and immunofluorescence staining. Cell adhesion was assayed by measuring the binding of fluorescence labelled MOLT-4 cells.Results—TNF-α induced ICAM-1 mRNA and protein expression in IEC-6 cells, which was followed by increased adhesion of MOLT-4 lymphocytes. Blocking TNF-α induced IκBα degradation with proteasome inhibitors reduced TNF-α induced NF-κB activation and ICAM-1 gene induction and notably decreased MOLT-4 cell adhesion without affecting Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK/SAPK) activity or de novo protein synthesis.Conclusion—TNF-α induction of ICAM-1 expression is mediated by the transcription factor NF-κB and can be inhibited by blocking IκBα degradation. Thus the IκB/NF-κB system is a promising target for pharmacological modulation of the expression of adhesion molecules and other inflammatory genes in the intestine.


2007 ◽  
Vol 97 (4) ◽  
pp. 692-698 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ya-Mei Yu ◽  
Zhi-Hong Wang ◽  
Chung-Hsien Liu ◽  
Chin-Seng Chen

Expression of cell adhesion molecules by endothelium and the attachment of monocytes to endothelium may play a major role in atherosclerosis. Ellagic acid (EA) is a phenolic compound found in fruits and nuts including raspberries, strawberries, grapes and walnuts. Previous studies have indicated that EA possesses antioxidant activity in vitro. In the present study, we investigated the effects of EA on the formation of intracellular reactive oxygen species, the translocation of NFκB and expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and endothelial leucocyte adhesion molecule (E-selectin) induced by IL-1β in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). We found that EA significantly reduced the binding of human monocytic cell line, U937, to IL-1β-treated HUVEC. The production of reactive oxygen species by IL-1β was dose-dependently suppressed by EA. Supplementation with increasing doses of EA up to 50 μmol/l was most effective in inhibiting the expression of VCAM-1 and E-selectin. Furthermore, the inhibition of IL-1β-induced adhesion molecule expression by EA was manifested by the suppression of nuclear translocation of p65 and p50. In conclusion, EA inhibits IL-1β-induced nuclear translocation of p65 and p50, thereby suppressing the expression of VCAM-1 and E-selectin, resulting in decreased monocyte adhesion. Thus, EA has anti-inflammatory properties and may play an important role in the prevention of atherosclerosis.


2004 ◽  
Vol 173 (3) ◽  
pp. 2041-2049 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nilesh M. Dagia ◽  
Norikazu Harii ◽  
Antonella E. Meli ◽  
Xiaolu Sun ◽  
Christopher J. Lewis ◽  
...  

2009 ◽  
Vol 37 (02) ◽  
pp. 395-406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sun Mi Hwang ◽  
Yun Jung Lee ◽  
Dae Gill Kang ◽  
Ho Sub Lee

Vascular inflammation is a pivotal factor of a variety of diseases, such as atherosclerosis and tumor progression. The present study was designed to examine the anti-inflammatory effect of ethanol extract of Gastrodia elata rhizome (EGE) in primary cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Pretreatment of cells with EGE attenuated TNF-α-induced increase in expression levels of cell adhesion molecules such as intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and E-selectin. Real time qRT-PCR also showed that EGE decreased the mRNA expression levels of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, E-selectin as well as macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and interleukin-8 (IL-8). In addition, EGE significantly inhibited TNF-α-induced increase in monocyte adhesion of HUVEC in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, EGE significantly inhibited TNF-α-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and p65 NF-κB activation by preventing IκB-α phosphorylation. In conclusion, the present data suggest that EGE could suppress TNF-α-induced vascular inflammatory process via inhibition of oxidative stress and NF-κB activation in HUVEC.


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