title: Panaxquin quefolium diolsaponins dose-dependently inhibits the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells by downregulating proto-oncogene expression.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Panax quinquefolium saponins (PQS) potentially prevent atherosclerosis in vivo. The proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) plays an important role in coronary heart disease and restenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention. Here, we investigated the potential effect of Panax quinquefolium diolsaponins (PQDS), a subtype of PQS, on angiotensin II (AngII)-induced VSMC proliferation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Isolated rat VSMCs were identified by immunocytochemical analysis. Cell proliferation was determined using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. The cell cycle and proliferation index were analyzed using flow cytometry. The messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression of proto-oncogenes was evaluated using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Over 98% of cultured VSMCs were immunopositive for anti-α-smooth muscle actin. AngII promoted cell proliferation, whereas PQDS significantly suppressed VSMC growth in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, PQDS suppressed AngII-induced proliferation of VSMCs by arresting the Gap 0/Gap 1 phase. Down-regulated mRNA expressions of proto-oncogenes occurred after PQDS application.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study demonstrates that PQDS may reduce AngII-stimulated VSMC proliferation by suppressing the expression of proto-oncogenes. These results may provide insights for the development of novel traditional Chinese medicines to prevent atherosclerosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency, The Bethune First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China.
authors.forename: Zhihao
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yingkai
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xuezhong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhao
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D008297:Male; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D005894:Panax / Q000737:chemistry*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011519:Proto-Oncogenes; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012503:Saponins / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012503:Saponins
keywords: Angiotensin II; Panax quinquefolium diolsaponins; proliferation; proto-oncogene; vascular smooth muscle cells