title: Inhibitory effect of Uncaria sinensis on human aortic smooth muscle cell migration is based on matrix metalloproteinase-9 inhibitory activity.
abstract: Medicinal extracts of Cho-Deung-san and Uncaria sinensis Havil. (UR) have previously been shown to have inhibitory effects on migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2/9 production, which play key roles in the development of atherosclerosis. In this study, we have more extensively investigated the inhibitory effect of UR on MMP-9 activity and TNF-α induced human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMC) migration. The result from gelatin zymography showed that UR inhibited MMP-9 activity in a dose-dependent manner (IC(50)=55μg/ml). In addition, UR strongly inhibited the migration of HASMC induced by TNF-α treatment (IC(50)=125μg/ml), although it has very low cytotoxic effect on HASMC (IC(50)>500μg/ml). These results suggest that UR is a potential anti-atherosclerotic agent through inhibition of MMP-9 activity and VSMC migration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Cardiovascular MRC, Dongguk University, Kyungju 780-714, South Korea.
authors.forename: Ki-Tae
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Ha
authors.forename: Kyung-Woon
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Seok-Jong
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Suh
authors.forename: Chang-Geun
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Kwak
authors.forename: June-Ki
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Cheorl-Ho
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Kim