Dahuang zhechong pill containing serum inhibited platelet-derived growth factor-stimulated vascular smooth muscle cells proliferation by inducing G1 arrest partly via suppressing protein kinase C α-extracellular regulated kinase 1/2 signaling pathway / 中国结合医学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate effects of dahuang zhechong pill ( DHZCP) on the cell cycle and the related signal pathways in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) stimulated by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) with the method of serum pharmacology.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>DNA synthesis in VSMCs was examined by detecting 5'-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation with the immunocytochemical method. The cycle of VSMCs was evaluated with flow cytometry. Expressions of cyclin D1, p27, protein kinase Cα (PKCα), and phosphorylated extracellular signal regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) were quantified by Western blot method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>DHZCP containing serum significantly inhibited DNA synthesis of PDGF-stimulated VSMCs, arrested the cells in G G(1) phase, modulated the protein expressions of cyclin D D(1) and p27, and suppressed the activation of PKCα and ERK1/2.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>DHZCP containing serum inhibits VSMCs proliferation via modulating the expressions of cell cycle proteins to arrest the cell in G G(1) phase, which is attributed to, at least in part, suppressing PKCα-ERK1/2 signaling in VSMCs.</p>