Inhibitory effect of quercetin on proliferation of human microvascular endothelial cells in vitro.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the role of quercetin (Que) in the proliferation of cultured human skin microvascular endothelial cells (MVEC).


METHODS
Cell count and [methyl-3H]thymidine ([3H]TdR) uptake assay were used to measure the effect of Que in the proliferation of cultured MVEC. Cytotoxicity of Que on MVEC was also evaluated by 51Cr release assay.


RESULTS
When MVEC were treated with Que, the proliferation was significantly inhibited in a time-course and dose-dependent manner. Que 5 micromol/L did not inhibit the proliferation of MVEC. When the concentration of Que increased to 20, 40, 80, and 160 micromol/L, the cell numbers per well were decreased and the inhibition rate was 12.2 %, 23.5 %, 35.3 %, and 54.1 % respectively with IC50 of 138 micromol/L. The inhibitory rate of [3H]-TdR uptake was 18.7 %, 34.4 %, 48.9 %, and 62.5 % respectively (IC(50)=87.5 micromol/L). (51)Cr release assay showed that Que 160 micromol/L incubated with MVEC from 1 to 16 h had no clear cytotoxicity compared with control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Que greatly inhibited the proliferation of cultured human MVEC in vitro. This effect may not be related to the cytotoxicity of Que on MVEC.
Fan
Pan-Sheng
PS
Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Soochow University, Suzhou 215007, China.
Gu
Zhen-Lun
ZL
Sheng
Rui
R
Liang
Zhong-Qin
ZQ
Wang
Xiao-Xia
XX
Zhu
Yi
Y
D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D011794:Quercetin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology
D011794:Quercetin