Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026
Screening Assays to Characterize Novel Endothelial Regulators Involved in the Inflammatory Response
Published on: September 15, 2017
Protective effects of eugenol against oxidized LDL-induced cytotoxicity and adhesion molecule expression in
Hsiu-Chung Ou1, Fen-Pi Chou, Tsung-Min Lin
1Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Education and Medical Research, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Institute of Biochemistry, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
Abstract:
Eugenol, a natural constituent of a number of aromatic plants and their essential oil fractions, has several biological effects. However, its protective effects against endothelial injury remain unclarified. This study investigates how eugenol affects human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) dysfunction mediated by oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL). Our results showed that the suppression of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) expression, enhancement of adhesion molecules (ICAM, VCAM, and E-selectin) expression, and adherence of monocytic THP1 cells caused by a non-cytotoxic concentration (100 microg/ml) of oxLDL were ameliorated following a eugenol treatment (12.5-100 microM) in HUVECs. Eugneol also inhibited the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, intracellular calcium accumulation, and the subsequent mitochondrial membrane potential collapse, cytochrome c release and caspase-3 activation induced by oxLDL. The cytotoxicity and apoptotic features induced by a cytotoxic concentration (200 microg/ml) of oxLDL was also attenuated by eugenol. Our results suggest that eugenol may protect against the oxLDL-induced dysfunction in endothelial cells.
