[The effects of pronuciferine on NO and NOS production in cultured human umbilical vein endothelium cells].
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.
Xiao
Hua
H
Zhujiang Hospital, Nanfang Medical University, Guangzhou.
Chen
Aihua
A
Ji
Aimin
A
Li
Zhiliang
Z
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
D000470:Alkaloids; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase