Salvia Miltiorrhiza Inhibits Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation And Migration

The proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) is pathological basis of atherosclerosis, restenosis and many cardiovascular diseases. Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM) is isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Salvia, a kind of Chinese herbs. Previous studies confirmed that the SM could inhibit VSMC proliferation and though of activating blood circulation, but the mechanismof SM action is unclear. The present study investigated the effects of SM on serum-induced proliferation and migration in VSMCs. These data suggested that SM may be prospective drug for the prevention and treatment in proliferative vascular diseases.Methods and results:1 SM inhibits VSMC proliferation.MTT assay and cell counting results showed that SM inhibited VSMC proliferation activity. Western blot analysis showed that the level of PCNA was increased in serum-stimulated VSMCs, and decreased after SM treatment, indicating that SM inhibits VSMC proliferation.2 SM inhibited the expression of ERK.Western blot analysis showed that levels of ERK protein was much higher in serum-stimulated VSMCs, than that in the control respectively. However, SM treatment resulted in reduced the level of ERK protein in a dose-dependent manner. Inhibition of ERK expression may be involved in of SM inhibiting VSMC proliferation.3 SM inhibits VSMC migration and MMP expressionWound healing assay showed that SM inhibited significantly VSMC migration. Gelatinase zymography analysis results indicated that SM reduced matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) activity in cell culture medium. There data suggested that SM inhibited VSMC migration via the inhibition of the extracellular matrix degradalionge induced by MMP-2 and MMP-9.4 SM inhibits neointimal formation after balloon injury.HE staining showed that SM was significantly inhibited neointimal formation, and I/M ratio was reduced in SM group compared with balloon-injured group after balloon injury for 14 days (P<0.05). There results suggested that SM could significantly inhibit balloon injury-induced neointimal hyperplasia.Conclusion:1 SM inhibits VSMC proliferation.2 SM suppresses PCNA and ERK expression in serum-induced VSMC.3 SM inhibits VSMC migration through inhibiting of MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity.4 SM reduces neointimal formation by balloon injury.