title: Effects and mechanisms of icariin on atherosclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Icariin, a flavonoid isolated from the traditional Chinese herbal medicine Epimedium brevicornum Maxim, has been shown to process anti-inflammatory, antioxidative actions and anti-atherosclerosis activity in vivo and in vitro. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects and mechanisms of icariin on atherosclerosis by human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).
  
  
  METHODS
  The effects of icariin on the activity of HUVECs induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) were detected by MTT assay. Then we studied the effects of icariin on the adhesion of monocyte with HUVECs induced by ox-LDL. The secretion of E-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1) by HUVECs were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Finally the mRNA levels of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, E-selectin of HUVECs were analyzed by real time RT-PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MTT result indicated that icariin (10, 20, 40 μmol/L) could inhibit HUVECs injury induced by ox-LDL in a concentration-dependent manner (P < 0.05). The adhesion of monocyte with HUVECs induced by ox-LDL was inhibited by icariin in a concentration-dependent manner (P < 0.05). The levels of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, E-selectin of icariin groups were significantly decreased in a concentration-dependent manner compared with ox-LDL-simulated group (P < 0.05). The mRNA expressions of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, E-selectin of icariin groups were also downregulated significantly compared with ox-LDL-simulated group (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Icariin can prevent atherosclerotic lesion. Its mechanism may be that it can defend against the oxidation damage to HUVECs, inhibit the adhesion of monocyte to HUVECs, and reduce the secretion and expression of adhesion molecules including ICAM-1, VCAM-1, E-selectin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Jilin University Changchun 130021, Jilin, China.
authors.forename: Yanwu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Jilin University Changchun 130021, Jilin, China.
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Jilin University Changchun 130021, Jilin, China.
authors.forename: Mengtong
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Jilin University Changchun 130021, Jilin, China.
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Jilin University Changchun 130021, Jilin, China.
authors.forename: Yadi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Jilin University Changchun 130021, Jilin, China.
authors.forename: Liqun
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ren
keywords: Icariin; adhesion molecules; atherosclerosis; oxidized low-density lipoprotein