Silymarin inhibits TNF-alpha-induced expression of adhesion molecules in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.
Silymarin is known to have an anti-atherosclerotic activity, but the mechanism responsible for it remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate a possible mechanism involved in the anti-atherosclerotic activity of silymarin. Silymarin inhibited THP-1 cell adhesion to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Silymarin also suppressed the TNF-alpha-induced protein and mRNA expression of adhesion molecules, such as VCAM-1, ICAM-1 and E-selectin, in HUVECs. Moreover, silymarin suppressed the TNF-alpha-induced DNA binding of NF-kappaB/Rel in HUVECs. Taken together, these results demonstrate that silymarin exerts an anti-atherosclerotic activity, at least in part, by inhibiting the expression of adhesion molecules.
Kang
Jong Soon
JS
Biopotency Evaluation Laboratory, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Taejon 305-333, South Korea.
Park
Song-Kyu
SK
Yang
Kyu-Hwan
KH
Kim
Hwan Mook
HM
D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D019040:E-Selectin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009000:Monocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D012838:Silymarin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D019040:E-Selectin; D016328:NF-kappa B; D012838:Silymarin; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D004247:DNA