title: Inhibitory effect of Angelica gigas on cold‑induced RhoA activation in vascular cells.
abstract: The herbal extract Angelica gigas (AG) has been applied as a vasodilating agent for patients suffering from vascular diseases for many years; however, the underlying mechanism has not been fully elucidated. The present study hypothesized that the anti‑vasoconstrictive effect of AG may be effective in the treatment of abnormal cold‑mediated vasospasms that occur in Raynaud's phenomenon (RP). The effect of AG on the activity of ras homolog gene family member A (RhoA) was investigated in cold‑exposed vascular cells. Vascular cells were pretreated to AG, followed by a warm (37˚C) or cold (25˚C) incubation for 30 min and investigated with western blotting, ELISA and confocal microscopy. Cold treatment induced the activation of RhoA in pericytes and vascular endothelial cells, however this was reduced by treatment with AG. Furthermore, AG treatment reduced the endothelin‑1 (ET‑1)‑mediated RhoA activation in pericytes; however, cold‑induced ET‑1 production by vascular endothelial cells was not affected by treatment with AG. In addition, AG treatment suppressed the formation of stress fibers and focal adhesion complexes, and the cold‑induced phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase, proto‑oncogene tyrosine‑protein kinase Src and extracellular signal‑related kinase. Therefore, AG treatment demonstrated an ability to reduce cold‑induced RhoA activation in pericytes and vascular endothelial cells, and attenuated ET‑1‑mediated RhoA activation in pericytes. In conclusion, the present study indicated that AG may be useful for the treatment of RP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02477, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Kangwook
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Korean Medicine Obstetrics & Gynecology, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02477, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Min Soo
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Chae
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology, Korea National University of Transportation, Cheongju, Chungbuk 27469, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sung-Gook
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Department of Korean Internal Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Semyung University, Chungju, Chungbuk 27136, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ho Yeon
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Go
authors.affiliation: Department of Oriental Internal Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Sangji University, Wonju, Gangwon 23339, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Seung-Ho
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Department of Korean Medicine Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02477, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Junbock
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.affiliation: Department of Korean Internal Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Gachon University, Seongnam, Gyeonggi 13120, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ki-Yong
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Department of Korean Internal Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Gachon University, Seongnam, Gyeonggi 13120, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: You-Kyung
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Korean Rehabilitation Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Gachon University, Seongnam, Gyeonggi 461701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yun-Kyung
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Department of Korean Ophthalmology & Otolaryngology, College of Korean Medicine, Gachon University, Seongnam, Gyeonggi 461701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sung Yong
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Sim
authors.affiliation: Department of Korean Pediatrics, College of Korean Medicine, Gachon University, Seongnam, Gyeonggi 461701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hye Lim
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Gachon University, Seongnam, Gyeonggi 461701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Mi Suk
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Department of Korean Internal Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Gachon University, Seongnam, Gyeonggi 13120, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Chan-Yong
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Jeon
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02453, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Seong Gyu
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Ko
mesh_terms: D029969:Angelica / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D051416:Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D061307:Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells; D006801:Humans; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D020286:Pericytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D010766:Phosphorylation / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D013696:Temperature; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D020742:rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D019061:src-Family Kinases / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D019332:Endothelin-1; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D051416:Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D019061:src-Family Kinases; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; D020742:rhoA GTP-Binding Protein