title: Inhibitory effects of saponins from Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge on the growth of vascular smooth muscle cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of saponins from Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge (SAaB) (Botanical Name: Anemarrhena Asphodeloidis Rhizoma) on the growth of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Cell proliferation was measured by a newly developed cell proliferation reagent, WST-1. Cell apoptosis was assayed by flow cytometry through detecting annexin V. Nitric oxide production was evaluated using confocal laser scanning microscopy with diaminofluorescein diacetate (DAF-2, DA). Cell aldose reductase (AR) activity, as well as the effect of Epalrestat and interleukin-1beta were also explored.
  
  
  RESULTS
  WST assay showed that cell proliferation induced by serum was significantly inhibited by SAaB (P<0.01). Flow cytometry analysis revealed that SAaB could enhance apoptotic rate of VSMCs (P<0.01). Nitric oxide production was significantly enhanced after administration of SAaB and interleukin-1beta. Moreover, AR activity of VSMCs was also remarkably inhibited by both SAaB and Epalrestat (P<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SAaB can inhibit proliferation and enhance apoptosis of VSMCs. It may protect vascular cells by inhibiting VSMC proliferation and augmenting apoptotic rate of VSMCs via NO-dependent pathway.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. xiaoshangzhi@sina.com
authors.forename: Shang-Zhi
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.forename: Ming-En
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Ya-Kun
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Ge
authors.forename: Gui-Feng
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Xiao
mesh_terms: D031403:Anemarrhena / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D017304:Annexin A5 / Q000378:metabolism; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D019793:Fluorescein / Q000737:chemistry; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012503:Saponins / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: C414689:4,5-diaminofluorescein diacetate; D017304:Annexin A5; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D012503:Saponins; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D019793:Fluorescein