Ming-Ming Wang1, Mei Xue2, Yu Miao1, Na Kou3, Yong-Gang Xu1, Lin Yang1, Ying Zhang3, Da-Zhuo Shi4. 1. Center for Cardiovascular Disease, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100091, China. 2. Center for Cardiovascular Disease, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100091, China. Electronic address: meiar@126.com. 3. Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China. 4. Center for Cardiovascular Disease, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100091, China. Electronic address: dz_shi@163.com.
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Panax quinquefolium saponin (PQS) is the active component extracted from traditional Chinese medicine Panax quinquefolius L. and has been widely used as a supplement to dual antiplatelet drugs (DA) for treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD) for two decades; however, the efficacy of PQS combined with DA against platelet adhesion to endothelial cells (ECs), an essential step in thrombosis, remains unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY: To compare PQS combined with DA and DA alone in inhibiting platelet adhesion to injured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and to explore the possible mechanisms focusing on PI3K/AKT, COX-2/6-keto-PGF1α, and COX-1/TXB2 pathways. METHODS: HUVECs injured by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) were randomly allocated into control, model, DA, PQS+DA (P+DA), LY294002 (a PI3K inhibitor)+DA (L+DA), and LY294002+PQS+DA (LP+DA) groups. HUVEC apoptosis, platelet adhesion to injured HUVECs, and platelet CD62p expression were assayed by fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS). The concentrations of 6-keto-PGF1α and TXB2 in the supernatant were measured by radioimmunoassay. Protein expression of phosphorylated-PI3K, PI3K, phosphorylated-AKT, AKT, COX-1, and COX-2 in both platelets and HUVECs was evaluated by western blot. RESULTS: Compared to DA alone, PQS combined with DA reduced platelet adhesion to HUVECs and HUVEC apoptosis more potently, increased the concentration of supernatant 6-keto-PGF1α and up-regulated phospho-AKT protein in HUVECs. LY294002 mitigated the effects of PQS on HUVEC apoptosis and platelet adhesion. CONCLUSIONS: These findings show that PQS as a powerful supplement to DA, attenuated HUVEC apoptosis and improved the DA-mediated reduction of platelet adhesion to injured HUVECs and the underlying mechanisms may be associated with PI3K/AKT and COX pathways in HUVECs and platelets. PQS might provide a new complementary approach to improve the prognosis of thrombotic diseases in future.
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Panax quinquefolium saponin (PQS) is the active component extracted from traditional Chinese medicine Panax quinquefolius L. and has been widely used as a supplement to dual antiplatelet drugs (DA) for treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD) for two decades; however, the efficacy of PQS combined with DA against platelet adhesion to endothelial cells (ECs), an essential step in thrombosis, remains unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY: To compare PQS combined with DA and DA alone in inhibiting platelet adhesion to injured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and to explore the possible mechanisms focusing on PI3K/AKT, COX-2/6-keto-PGF1α, and COX-1/TXB2 pathways. METHODS: HUVECs injured by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) were randomly allocated into control, model, DA, PQS+DA (P+DA), LY294002 (a PI3K inhibitor)+DA (L+DA), and LY294002+PQS+DA (LP+DA) groups. HUVEC apoptosis, platelet adhesion to injured HUVECs, and platelet CD62p expression were assayed by fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS). The concentrations of 6-keto-PGF1α and TXB2 in the supernatant were measured by radioimmunoassay. Protein expression of phosphorylated-PI3K, PI3K, phosphorylated-AKT, AKT, COX-1, and COX-2 in both platelets and HUVECs was evaluated by western blot. RESULTS: Compared to DA alone, PQS combined with DA reduced platelet adhesion to HUVECs and HUVEC apoptosis more potently, increased the concentration of supernatant 6-keto-PGF1α and up-regulated phospho-AKT protein in HUVECs. LY294002 mitigated the effects of PQS on HUVEC apoptosis and platelet adhesion. CONCLUSIONS: These findings show that PQS as a powerful supplement to DA, attenuated HUVEC apoptosis and improved the DA-mediated reduction of platelet adhesion to injured HUVECs and the underlying mechanisms may be associated with PI3K/AKT and COX pathways in HUVECs and platelets. PQS might provide a new complementary approach to improve the prognosis of thrombotic diseases in future.