ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the effect of ultrafiltrated components of three kinds of serum containing phlegm-resolving prescriptions (Huanglian Wendan Decoction, Gualou Xiebai Banxia Decoction, and Erchen Decoction, respectively) on viability of human leukemic monocytic cell line THP-1 derived macrophages and macrophage differentiation to foam cells. Methods THP-1 cells were induced to differentiate into macrophages with phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate ( PMA) . And then the achieved macrophages were used for the establishment of the atherosclerotic foam cell model after co-incubation with oxidized low density lipoprotein ( ox-LDL ) . Three kinds of serum containing phlegm-resolving prescriptions and blank serum were prepared and ultrafiltered by 10 KD ultrafiltrator, and then were co-cultured with the foam cell model, respectively. The viability of macrophages and the macrophage differentiation to foam cells were tested by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium ( MTT) assay and oil red staining. Apoptotic rate of macrophages was determined by flow cytometry. Results After THP-1 cells were induced by PMA (100 nmol/L) for 20 hours and then were co-incubated with ox-LDL (50 μg/mL) for 24 hours, a typical atherosclerotic foam cell model was established successfully. The ultrafiltrated components of serum containing Huanglian Wendan Decoction had obvious effects on increasing the macrophage survival rate, decreasing macrophage apoptotic rate, and inhibiting macrophage differentiation to foam cells. The ultrafiltrated components of serum containing Gualou Xiebai Banxia Decoction or Erchen Decoction had an effect on enhancing the macrophage differentiation to foam cells but had no anti-apoptosis action. Conclusion Huanglian Wendan Decoction has anti-atherosclerosis action, which may be related to resisting macrophage apoptosis and decreasing macrophagic lipid-endocytosing function. Erchen Decoction and Gualou Xiebai Banxia Decoction are effective on increasing macrophagic lipid-endocytosing function.