[Protective effect of hydroxy-safflor yellow A on human umbilical vein endothelial cell apoptosis induced by...

To investigate the protective effect of hydroxy-safflor yellow A (HSYA) on the apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVECs) induced by angiotensin II (Ang II) in vitro and explore its mechanism.

The HUVECs was subcultured in vitro and used for experiment that divided into five groups as follows: control group, Ang II-injured group (1 micromoL/L), low-dosage of HSYA group (10 micromoL/L), mid-dosage of HSYA group (30 micromoL/L) and high-dosage of HYSA group (100 micromoL/L). MTT was used to determine the HUVECs viability. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured with laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM), Cytochrome C oxidase activity was detected by BCA method. Apoptosis rate of the HUVECs was analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression of apoptosis-related protein caspase-3 was measured by western blot.

Compared with control group, Ang II could increase the level of ROS, inhibit cytochrome activity and enhance caspase 3 expression in HUVECs, as a result, enhance apoptosis of HUVECs. HSYA could significantly reduce the result induced by AngII in dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

HSYA can eliminate the effect of Ang II and its mechanism may be related to inhibiting ROS producing, keeping mitochondrial structure and function and inhibiting apoptosis.