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

Ki-Tae Ha; Kyung-Woon Kim; Seok-Jong Suh; Chang-Geun Kwak; June-Ki Kim; Cheorl-Ho Kim

doi:10.1016/j.etap.2007.05.008

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

Environ Toxicol Pharmacol. 2007 Nov;24(3):218-22. doi: 10.1016/j.etap.2007.05.008. Epub 2007 May 29.

Authors

Ki-Tae Ha¹, Kyung-Woon Kim, Seok-Jong Suh, Chang-Geun Kwak, June-Ki Kim, Cheorl-Ho Kim

Affiliation

¹ Department of Pathology and Cardiovascular MRC, Dongguk University, Kyungju 780-714, South Korea.

PMID: 21783814
DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2007.05.008

Abstract

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 (IC(50)=55μg/ml). In addition, UR strongly inhibited the migration of HASMC induced by TNF-α treatment (IC(50)=125μg/ml), although it has very low cytotoxic effect on HASMC (IC(50)>500μg/ml). These results suggest that UR is a potential anti-atherosclerotic agent through inhibition of MMP-9 activity and VSMC migration.