[Effects of Salviae miltiorrhizae on H2O2-induced apoptosis of rat vascular smooth muscle cells].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of Salviae miltiorrhizae on H2O2-induced apoptosis in rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC(s)) and its related mechanism.


METHODS
The 3-5 passages of VSMC(s) were used, H2O2 was added to the medium of cultured rat aortic VSMC(s) as extraneous reactive oxygen species (ROS). The viability percentage of VSMC(s) was evaluated by MTT colorimetric assay. The percentage of apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry. The expression of Bax/Bcl-2 protein was examined with immunohistochemical technique and positive index (PI) was calculated.


RESULTS
1 mmol/L H2O2 could increase apoptosis rate. The PI of Bax/Bcl-2 protein in H2O2 group was higher (P < 0.01). When VSMC(s) were incubated with H2O2 plus Salviae miltiorrhizae, the apoptosis rate greatly declined, and at the same time, the PI of Bax/Bcl-2 protein reduced remarkably compared with H2O2 group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Salviae miltiorrhizae could prevent VSMC(s) from H2O2-induced apoptosis by decreasing the Bax/Bcl-2 protein expression.
Du
Xianhua
X
Yunyang Medical College, Hubei, Shiyan 442000.
Xiang
Hu
H
Yu
Longshun
L
Yang
Fangju
F
D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D027561:Salvia miltiorrhiza
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide