Inhibition of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation by serum from rats treated orally with Gastrodia and Uncaria decoction, a traditional Chinese formulation

AimThis study was to investigate the effect of serum from rats treated orally with GUD on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) proliferation in vitro.MethodsCell proliferation was measured by Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and proto-oncogene c-myc were measured by immunochemical staining and image analysis. Griess reagent were used to detect nitric oxide (NO) level. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) level was measured by radioimmunoassay.ResultsGUD serum (2.5%-10%) inhibited VSMCs proliferation in a dose and time-dependent manner. GUD serum inhibited the expression of PCNA and c-myc. Moreover, GUD serum increased nitric oxide (NO), and decreased Endothelin-1 (ET-1) level in culture medium.ConclusionGUD serum exhibited directly inhibitory effect in VSMCs proliferation. Inhibiting the expression of PCNA and c-myc, increasing NO level and decreasing ET-1 level might be associated with the antiproliferative effect.