Extract from the leaf of nucifera reduced the development of atherosclerosis via inhibition of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration.

Abstract

Nelumbo nucifera GAERTN, a perennial aquatic plant, has been used as a medicinal herb in China and India. We have previously reported that consumption of nucifera leaf extract (NLE) reduced the development of atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits; however, the molecular mechanisms involved were unclear. Atherosclerotic plaque is generated partly by proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). Herein, we demonstrated that VSMC treated with NLE-triggered apoptosis and affected the JNK and p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) pathways. Pre-treating VSMC with inhibitors of JNK, p38, and p53 reduced NLE-induced apoptosis. Non-cytotoxic doses of NLE also abolished secretion of MMP-2/9 and inhibited cell migration via restraining the FAK/PI 3-kinase/small G protein pathway. Histopathological examination showed that 1.0% of NLE reduced neointima formation conspicuously and inhibited smooth muscle cell proliferation and MMP-2 secretion in the blood vessel of rabbits fed with a high cholesterol diet (HCD). We also verified that the extract's total phenolic acids and the total flavonoids were approximately about 70%. In conclusion, our results shed light on the molecular mechanisms whereby the polyphenol-rich water extract of nucifera leaves could inhibit both proliferation and migration of VSMC, and it might serve as a potential anti-atherogenic agent.

• Authors: Hsieh-Hsun Ho, Li-Sung Hsu, Kuei-Chuan Chan, Hsiang-Mei Chen, Cheng-Hsun Wu, Chau-Jong Wang
• Journal: Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association (Food Chem Toxicol) Vol. 48 Issue 1 Pg. 159-68 (Jan 2010) ISSN: 1873-6351 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 19799955 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Coloring Agents
• Fluorescent Dyes
• Indoles
• Plant Extracts
• Tetrazolium Salts
• Thiazoles
• Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
• bcl-2-Associated X Protein
• DAPI
• thiazolyl blue

Topics

• Animals
• Apoptosis (drug effects)
• Arecaceae (chemistry)
• Atherosclerosis (pathology, prevention & control)
• Blotting, Western
• Cell Line
• Cell Movement (drug effects)
• Cell Proliferation (drug effects)
• Coloring Agents
• DNA Fragmentation (drug effects)
• Flow Cytometry
• Fluorescent Dyes
• In Vitro Techniques
• Indoles
• Myocytes, Smooth Muscle (drug effects)
• Plant Extracts (pharmacology)
• Plant Leaves (chemistry)
• Rabbits
• Rats
• Tetrazolium Salts
• Thiazoles
• Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 (biosynthesis)
• Wound Healing (drug effects)
• bcl-2-Associated X Protein (biosynthesis)