Effect of extract from Tripterygium hypoglaucum on proliferation and apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells / 中国中西医结合杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of THW-4, an extract from Trypterygium hypoglaucum on proliferation and apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>VSMC derived from rabbit aorta were cultured in vitro and different concentrations of THW-4 were added in experimental groups. Cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT and apoptosis by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), TUNEL assay and Annexin V-FITC/PI double labelled assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The inhibitory effects of THW-4 on proliferation of VSMC displayed dose-time dependently, with the IC50 value of 15.6 microg/L at 48 hrs. Incubated with THW-4 (10-100 microg/L) for 56 hrs, VSMC mainly appeared early stage apoptosis and the percentage of apoptosis was found to raise along with the increase of the THW-4 concentration. Typical images of apoptosis could be observed under TEM and TUNEL assay showed increase of DNA segments with karyorrhexis and pyknosis after THW-4 treatment for 72 hrs. Analysis of cell cycle indicated the THW-4 mainly lead to the blockage of VSMC in G2/M stage.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>THW-4 could inhibit the proliferation and induce the apoptosis of VSMC in vitro, suggesting that THW-4 is a potential agent for prevention of restenosis following angioplasty.</p>