Inhibitory effects of Zoagumhwan water extract and berberine on angiotensin II-induced monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 expression and monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells

Vascul Pharmacol. 2007 Aug-Sep;47(2-3):189-96. doi: 10.1016/j.vph.2007.06.004. Epub 2007 Jun 19.

Abstract

Angiotensin II (Ang II), a potent vasoconstrictor, has been implicated in vascular inflammation through induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and pro-inflammatory genes. Among the chemokines, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 induced by Ang II acts as a central mediator of the inflammatory responses. In the present study, we found that the water extract of ZoaGumHwan (ZGH), a Korean herbal remedy, dose-dependently inhibited Ang II-induced U937 monocyte adhesion to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and mRNA expression of MCP-1 in HUVECs and C-C chemokine receptor 2 (CCR-2) in U937 cells. In addition, ZGH water extract inhibited Ang II-induced generation of reactive oxygen species in HUVECs in a dose-dependent manner. Berberine, a major component of Coptis chinensis Franch, also showed similar effects on ROS production and MCP-1 expression induced by Ang II. These results suggest that Korean herbal remedy, ZGH, effectively protects against Ang II-induced endothelial inflammation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Angiotensin II / drug effects
  • Angiotensin II / physiology
  • Berberine / administration & dosage
  • Berberine / pharmacology*
  • Cell Adhesion / drug effects
  • Chemokine CCL2 / drug effects
  • Chemokine CCL2 / metabolism*
  • Coptis / chemistry
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Endothelial Cells / drug effects*
  • Evodia / chemistry
  • Gene Expression / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / prevention & control
  • Korea
  • Medicine, East Asian Traditional
  • Monocytes / drug effects
  • Monocytes / metabolism
  • Plant Extracts / administration & dosage
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Umbilical Veins

Substances

  • Chemokine CCL2
  • Plant Extracts
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Berberine
  • Angiotensin II