Notoginsenoside R1 inhibits oxidized low-density lipoprotein induced inflammatory cytokines production in human endothelial EA.hy926 cells

Notoginsenoside R1 (NG-R1), a unique and main active ingredient of Panax notoginseng, has been described to exhibit anti-inflammatory activity. However, its protective effects against oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL)-induced inflammatory injury in vascular endothelial cells have not been clarified. In the present study, we have evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of NG-R1 on oxLDL-induced endothelial cells and its possible molecular mechanism of action. Our results showed that NG-R1 treatment significantly attenuated oxLDL-induced expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β. These effects were accompanied with suppression of oxLDL-induced activation of NF-κB and Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK). Moreover, NG-R1 also increased in Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) protein expression and transcription levels, and attenuated oxLDL-induced suppression of PPARγ expression. The inhibition of NG-R1 on oxLDL-induced TNF-α and IL-1β productions can be reversed by PPARγ antagonist GW9662. In conclusion, these data suggested that NG-R1 could suppress oxLDL-induced inflammatory cytokines production via activating PPARγ, which subsequently inhibiting oxLDL-induced NF-κB and MAPK activation.