Mechanisms of delay endothelial cell replicative senescence by extracts from Panax ginseng, Panax notoginseng and Ligusticum chuanxiong / 中国中药杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore effect of extracts from Panax ginseng, P. notoginseng and Ligusticum chuanxiong on human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVECs) replicative senescence.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>HUVECs were induced to aging by generation cultivating to the eighth cells in order to establish a model of endothelial cells replicative senescence. The cultured HUVECs in vitro were divided into 4 groups, the eighth generation cell-senescence untreated group, Vitamin E group, herbal treated high dose and low dose groups. Changes of HUVECs aging were observed by method of SA-beta-gal stained HUVECs and cells cycle were analyzed. Contents of ROS in cells, the levels of anti-superoxide (O2-) and nitric oxide (NO) in cell mediums were examined. Western blot were used to analyse protein expression of NADPH oxidase p47phox, angiotensin type 1 and 2 receptor (AT1R, AT2R).</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Compared with Vitamin E group, the positive cell numbers of beta-gal stained HUVECs were enhanced, cell proliferation was depressed, and the fluorescence intensity of ROS was increased, at the same time, less NO and more O2- in cells were produced in the eighth generation cell-senescence untreated group. Protein expression of p47phox, AT1R and AT2R in cells increased compared with Vit E group. Chinese herbs of high dose and low dose could improve condutions of HUVECs aging. Chinese herbs of high dose and low dose could reduce the positive cell numbers of beta-gal stained HUVEC, increase cell proliferation and decrease fluorescence intensity of ROS in cells, at the same time, cells secreting more NO and less O2-. Protein expression of p47phox, AT1R and AT2R in cells treated with Chinese herbs of high dose and low dose were decreased compared with Vit E group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The study indicated that extracts from P. ginseng, P. notoginseng and L. chuanxiong could delay endothelial cell replicative senescence. Herbal extracts downregulate the expression of NAD (P) H oxidase subunit-p47phox by means of ROS, hence decrease O2- production and ultimately delay HUVECs in vitro senescence.</p>