Inhibitory effect of Uncaria sinensis on human aortic smooth muscle cell migration is based on matrix metalloproteinase-9 inhibitory activity

Medicinal extracts of Cho-Deung-san and Uncaria sinensis Havil. (UR) have previously been shown to have inhibitory effects on migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2/9 production, which play key roles in the development of atherosclerosis. In this study, we have more extensively investigated the inhibitory effect of UR on MMP-9 activity and TNF-α induced human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMC) migration. The result from gelatin zymography showed that UR inhibited MMP-9 activity in a dose-dependent manner (IC50 = 55 μg/ml). In addition, UR strongly inhibited the migration of HASMC induced by TNF-α treatment (IC50 = 125 μg/ml), although it has very low cytotoxic effect on HASMC (IC50 > 500 μg/ml). These results suggest that UR is a potential anti-atherosclerotic agent through inhibition of MMP-9 activity and VSMC migration.