Qindan-capsule inhibits proliferation of adventitial fibroblasts and collagen synthesis

AimsQindan-capsule (QC) is a prescription of traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of hypertension. We investigated the effect and mechanism of QC-containing serum on proliferation of aortal adventitial fibroblasts (AFs) and composition of extracellular matrix (ECM). We also tested whether the Smad3 signaling pathway is activated in the progress.Materials and methodsAFs were cultured by tissue explant in vitro. The proliferation of AFs induced by transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and affected by QC-containing serum with high or low dose was detected by MTT. The protein and mRNA expressions of Smad3 and Procollagen I were observed by Western blot and Real-time PCR respectively.ResultsWestern blot and Real-time PCR revealed that after being activated by TGF-β1 for 24 h, the expressions of Smad3, Pho-Smad3 and Procollagen I were all higher than those in the control group. But these functions were inhibited, to some extent in different doses, by QC-containing serum. So that the proliferation of AFs which was evaluated by MTT.ConclusionsThe results suggested QC-containing serum has significantly improved proliferation of AFs and composition of extracellular matrix. TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway may be involved in the mechanism.

Graphical abstractQindan-capsule (QC), as an extract of traditional Chinese herbal medicine, has been used clinically for treating hypertension for years. Growing experimental evidence shows that AF is the “most reactive in the vascular wall” during vascular remodeling. In this context, the effect and mechanism of QC-containing serum on proliferation of aortal adventitial fibroblasts (AFs) and composition of extracellular matrix (ECM) stimulated by TGF-β1 was highlighted. Furthermore the potential relationship between the mechanisms of QC on AFs and TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway was studied.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide