title: [The effects of pronuciferine on NO and NOS production in cultured human umbilical vein endothelium cells].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of Pronuciferine on nitric oxide (NO), total nitric oxide synthase (tNOS) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) production in cultured Human Umbilical Vein Endothelium Cells (HUVECs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Pronuciferine was extracted from plumula nelumbinis. The experiments were performed in HUVECs in vitro. Cell-morphology was observed by light microscope. Cells viability was assessed by MTT assay. NO, tNOS and iNOS were measured by Colorimetry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cell- morphology and viability weren't affected by Pronuciferine. Pronuciferine significantly increased the level of NO and the activity of tNOS, but had no effect on the activity of iNOS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pronuciferine increases the level of NO by the enhancement of the activity of tNOS. It may have the protection on endothelial function.
authors.affiliation: Zhujiang Hospital, Nanfang Medical University, Guangzhou.
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.forename: Aihua
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Aimin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.forename: Zhiliang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000470:Alkaloids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D030702:Nymphaeaceae / Q000737:chemistry; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000166:cytology
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase