Salvianolic Acid B Inhibits Atherogenesis of Vascular Cells through Induction of Nrf2-dependent Heme Oxygenase-1

Title:Salvianolic Acid B Inhibits Atherogenesis of Vascular Cells through Induction of Nrf2-dependent Heme Oxygenase-1

Volume: 21 Issue: 26

Author(s): Hyun Jung Lee, MiRanSeo and Eun Jig Lee

Affiliation:

Keywords: HO-1, HUVEC, inflammation, Nrf2, proliferation, Salvianolic acid B, VSMC.

Abstract: Aims: Salvianolic acid B (Sal B), one of the most active components of Danshen extracts, has beneficial roles in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. However, the precise mechanism by which Sal B exerts its effects on vascular cells is unclear. We aimed to elucidate the effects of Sal B on vascular cells and the underlying mechanisms. Methods and Results: Treatment of vascular smooth muscle cells with Sal B effectively inhibited platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced cell proliferation and migration, and markedly increased heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression. These changes were accompanied by antioxidant effects, including decreases in the generation of reactive oxygen species and the NADP/NADPH ratio. In human umbilical vein endothelial cells, Sal B also strongly induced HO-1 and effectively inhibited tumor necrosis factor-α-induced NF-κB activation. Knockdown of HO-1 expression by siRNA abolished the effects of Sal B in vascular cells and prevented the inhibition of proliferation, migration, and inflammation in HO-1-deficient cells. In ex vivo culture of arterial rings isolated from nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-knockout mice, Sal B neither induce HO-1 expression and nor inhibit PDGF-induced neointimal hyperplasia in arteries, suggesting that Nrf2 plays a crucial role in the induction of HO-1 expression. Conclusions: We conclude that Sal B exerts antiatherogenic effects by inhibiting the proliferation, migration, and inflammation of vascular cells through induction of HO-1 via Nrf2 activation.

Cite this article as:

Lee Jung Hyun, MiRanSeo and Lee Jig Eun, Salvianolic Acid B Inhibits Atherogenesis of Vascular Cells through Induction of Nrf2-dependent Heme Oxygenase-1, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2014; 21 (26) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0929867321666140601195940