Regulative effects of hawthorn leave flavonoids on cytotoxicity, NO and Ca2+ in hypoxia-treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the potential effect of HLF (Hawthorn leave flavonoids, w/w, 80% flavonoids) against thrombus formation, effect of HLF on hypoxia-treated human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVECs) was studied.


METHODS
The levels of cytotoxicity and NO upon HUVECs were studied by flow cytometry. Moreover, the level of calcium ion in HUVECs was examined through laser scanning confocal microscopy.


RESULTS
Data from this study showed that HLF at concentrations of 5 micrograms/ml and 10 micrograms/ml decreased the cytotoxicity of hypoxia to HUVECs (P<0.05, P<0.01). The intracellular levels of NO and calcium ion were downregulated by HLF at concentrations of 5 micrograms/ml (P<0.01; P<0.01) and 10 micrograms/ml (vs control, P<0.01; P<0.01) too.


CONCLUSIONS
Results observed suggest that HLF protect HUVECs from hypoxia partly through its regulative effect on NO and calcium ion levels.
Lan
Wen-jun
WJ
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou Zhejiang.
Ge
Ya-kun
YK
Zheng
Xiao-xiang
XX
D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D015687:Cell Hypoxia; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D027825:Crataegus; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D018515:Plant Leaves; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
D005419:Flavonoids; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D002118:Calcium