Effects of three active components in Cordyceps sinensis regulating liver endothelial cells functions based on angiogenesis / 中草药

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the effects of three active components in Cordyceps sinensis (cordycepin, adenosine, and ergosterol) on angiogenesis and the function of hepatic endothelial cells. Methods: Chick chorioallantoic membrane was used to record angiogenesis area, and transgenic zebrafish was used to evaluate the changes of intersegmental vascular and alkaline phosphatase. The toxicity of three active components was assayed in SK-HEP-1 cells by MTT. The proliferation of SK-HEP-1 cells was induced by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), with sorafenib as the positive control. Cell proliferation was analyzed by MTT assay. Cell migration and tube formation were observed by Matrigel and Transwell assay, respectively. Fluorescence probe method was used to detect the levels of intracellular nitric oxide (NO) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Results: Adenosine and ergosterol inhibited angiogenesis of chick chorioallantoic membrane, and decreased the number of transgenic zebrafish intersegmental vascular. However, cordycepin can promote angiogenesis of chick chorioallantoic membrane. Compared with the blank control group, VEGF induced SK-HEP-1 cells proliferation, promoted cells migration and tube formation, further significantly increased the levels of NO and NOS in SK-HEP-1. All three active components inhibited the proliferation, tube formation of SK-HEP-1 and decreased the levels of NO and NOS in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, adenosine and ergosterol inhibited SK-HEP-1 cells migration significantly. Conclusion: Three active components, especially adenosine, could inhibit SK-HEP-1 cells proliferation, migration and tube formation in different degrees. And the mechanism is related to the inhibition of intracellular NO levels and NOS activity.