Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 3, 2026

Stimulation of Vascular Endothelial Cells Using Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in the Presence of Low-Density Lipoprotein
Published on: August 12, 2025
Osthole alleviates oxidized low-density lipoprotein-induced vascular endothelial injury through suppression of
Yi Wang1, Jianbo Che1, Hui Zhao1
1Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Huaihe Hospital of Henan University, Kaifeng 475000, PR China.
Abstract:
Osthole, a naturally-derived coumarin, has been shown to exhibit pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and cardiovascular protective effects. However, the effect of osthole on oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced endothelial injury and its underlying mechanism remain unknown. We found that osthole did not affect viability of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) but alleviated ox-LDL-induced cytotoxicity in HUVECs. Osthole repressed ox-LDL-induced release of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 in HUVECs. Osthole reversed ox-LDL-induced elevation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and malondialdehyde (MDA) level, and reduction of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in HUVECs. Meanwhile, osthole attenuated ox-LDL-induced increase of mRNA expression and secretion of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in HUVECs. Osthole increased nitric oxide (NO) production and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation in ox-LDL-treated HUVECs. Furthermore, osthole inhibited ox-LDL-induced activation of the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smad pathway and activation of TGF-β1/Smad pathway by TGF-β1 attenuated the protective effects of osthole on HUVECs injury. These results suggested that osthole attenuated ox-LDL-induced HUVECs injury by inhibiting the TGF-β1/Smad pathway, suggesting that osthole might be a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of atherosclerosis.
Related Concept Videos
Nitric Oxide Signaling Pathway
Role of Hematopoietic Growth Factors
Thrombopoietin (TPO), mainly released by the liver,...
Factors Influencing Microbial Growth: pH
Bacterial Transformation
Griffith made an unexpected discovery when he killed the pathogenic strain and mixed its remains with the live, non-pathogenic strain. Not only did the mixture kill host mice, but it also contained living pathogenic bacteria that...
Factors Influencing Microbial Growth: Temperature
Factors Influencing Microbial Growth: Osmolarity

