HMC05, Herbal Formula, Inhibits TNF-α-Induced Inflammatory Response in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells. (23rd June 2011)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lee, Jong Suk; Park, Su-Young; Thapa, Dinesh; Kim, Ah Ra; Shin, Heung-Mook; Kim, Jung-Ae
• Is Part Of: Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine. Volume 2011(2011)
• Publication Date: 2011-06-23
• Subjects: Alternative medicine -- Periodicals; 615.505
• DOI: 10.1093/ecam/nep126
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1741-427X

Abstract

Abstract : Vascular inflammation has been implicated in the progression of cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis. In the present study, we found that HMC05, an extract from eight different herbal mixtures, dose-dependently inhibited tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF- α )-induced adhesion of monocytes to endothelial cells. Such inhibitory effect of HMC05 correlated with suppressed expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, CC chemokine receptor 2, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1. In addition, HMC05 significantly inhibited production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nuclear factor (NF)- κ B activation by TNF- α . Those inhibitory effects of HMC05 (1–10 μ g mL −1 ) on the TNF- α -induced inflammatory event was similar to those of berberine (1–10 μ M), which is a major component of HMC05 and one of herbal compounds known to have vasorelaxing and lipid-lowering activities. However, berberine significantly reduced the viability of HUVECs in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. In contrast, HMC05 (1–10 μ g ml −1 ) did not affect the cell viability for up to 48 h treatment. In conclusion, we propose that HMC05 may be a safe and potent herbal formula against vascular inflammation, and its action may be attributable to the inhibition of ROS- and NF- κ B-dependent expression of adhesion molecules and chemokines.