Anti-inflammatory effects of danshen on human vascular endothelial cells in culture
Christian Stumpf1, Quiaoling Fan, Christian Hintermann
1Department of Cardiology, Medical Park Am Kirschbaumhuegel, Bad Wiessee, Germany , Department of Cardiology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany.
Insights
Danshen (DS), a traditional Chinese medicine, demonstrates anti-inflammatory effects by reducing key molecules involved in atherosclerosis. This study highlights DS
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Pharmacology
- Immunology
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
Background:
- Atherosclerosis pathophysiology involves inflammation, with cytokines, chemokines, cell adhesion molecules, CD40, and P-selectin as key regulators.
- Danshen (DS) is a traditional Chinese medicine used for cardiovascular diseases, including coronary artery disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the protective effects of Danshen (DS) against inflammation relevant to atherosclerosis.
- To investigate the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of DS and its major ingredients: salvianolic acid B (Sal B), tanshinone IIA (Tansh), and protocatechuic acid (Protoc).
Main Methods:
- Human umbilical vein endothelial cells and platelets were treated with DS extract or its ingredients under tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) or adenosine diphosphate (ADP) stimulation.
- Expression of CD40, VCAM-1, and ICAM-1 was measured using flow cytometry.
- Levels of IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, soluble VCAM-1, and soluble ICAM-1 were quantified using Luminex analysis.
Main Results:
- DS treatment attenuated TNF-α-induced expression of CD40, VCAM-1, and ICAM-1.
- DS significantly reduced the release of soluble VCAM-1, soluble ICAM-1, IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1.
- DS, Sal B, and Protoc inhibited TNF-induced inflammatory mediators and ADP-induced platelet P-selectin expression.
Conclusions:
- Danshen exhibits significant anti-inflammatory effects by downregulating key mediators of atherosclerosis.
- The findings provide insight into the pharmacological efficacy of DS and its components in managing cardiovascular inflammation.
Abstract:
Inflammation plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. Besides cytokines, chemokines and cell adhesion molecules, CD40 and P-selectin play important roles as key regulators of the inflammatory process in atherosclerosis. Danshen (DS) is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine for therapy of cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery disease. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effects of DS with respect to possible anti-inflammatory effects. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells as well as platelets were incubated with an extract of DS or one of its major ingredients salvianolic acid B (Sal B), tanshinone IIA (Tansh) and protocatechuic acid (Protoc) under tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α or ADP stimulation. Expression of CD40 and cellular adhesion molecules (VCAM-1/ICAM-1) were assessed via flow cytometry. Levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, monocyte-chemoattractant-protein (MCP)-1 as well as soluble VCAM1 and ICAM-1 in the supernatants were examined via luminex based analysis. Treatment with DS attenuated TNF-α induced expression of CD40. Furthermore, the expression of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 as well as the release of soluble VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 were downregulated. In the cell supernatants we also observed a significant reduction of IL-6, IL8 and MCP-1. DS and its major ingredients, Sal B and Protoc, significantly inhibited TNF-induced expression and release of adhesion molecules, cytokines and chemokines as well as ADP-induced expression of platelet P-selectin. Because of the key roles of inflammatory mediators in the etiology of atherosclerosis, this work provides useful insight in understanding the pharmacological efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine.
