Suppression of adhesion molecule expression by phenanthrene-containing extract of bulbils of Chinese Yam in vascular smooth muscle cells through inhibition of MAPK, Akt and NF-κB

► The methanol extract of bulbils of Dioscorea batatas Decne inhibited expression of adhesion molecule. ► This extract inhibited TNF-α-induced expression of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1. ► Inhibitory effect on adhesion molecule expression is mediated by the inhibition of MAPK, Akt and NF-κB pathways.