Extract of Oxytropis pseudoglandulosa inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration via suppression of ERK1/2 and Akt signaling pathways

Abstract

Excessive vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and migration accelerate the development of occlusive vascular disease. Therefore, finding a means to control the aberrant proliferation and migration of VSMCs has own clinical significance. In the present study, we examined the feasibility of using extract from medicinal plant Oxytropis pseudoglandulosa (OG) to control pathologic proliferation and migration of VSMCs, which never have been tested. Our data indicate that the extract of OG significantly suppressed proliferation and migration of VSMCs without cytotoxic effect, suggesting the OG extract may be an alternative agent to effectively control the aberrant VSMC proliferation and migration without any serious adverse effect. These data suggest that the extract of OG may be a potent therapeutic agent for the treatment of occlusive vascular disease and warrant further studies to identify the major acting ingredient and to validate in vivo efficacy.