Seung Hyo Jung1, Gyoung Beom Lee1, Yunkyoung Ryu1, Long Cui1, Hwan Myung Lee2, Junghwan Kim3, Bokyung Kim1, Kyung Jong Won1. 1. Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, South Korea. 2. Department of Cosmetic Science, College of Natural Science, Hoseo University, Asan, South Korea. 3. Department of Physical Therapy, College of Public Health & Welfare, Yongin University, Yongin, South Korea.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Compounds of the inner shell of chestnut (Castanea crenata) have diverse biological activities, including anti-cancer and anti-oxidant activities. Here we explored the effects of an extract of chestnut inner shells and of its bioactive component scoparone on vascular smooth muscle cell migration and vessel damage. RESULTS: The ethanol extract of chestnut inner shells, containing 11 major compounds, inhibited platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-induced migration of rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMCs). Among these compounds, scoparone (6,7-dimethoxycoumarin) suppressed RASMC migration and wound healing in response to PDGF-BB but did not affect RASMC proliferation. In RASMCs, scoparone inhibited the PDGF-BB-induced rat aortic sprout outgrowth and attenuated the PDGF-BB-mediated increase in phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), p38 MAPK and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2. The in vivo administration of scoparone resulted in the attenuation of neointima formation in balloon-injured carotid arteries of rats. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate that scoparone, found in chestnut inner shells, may inhibit cell migration through suppression of the phosphorylation of MAPKs in PDGF-BB-treated RASMCs, probably contributing to the reduction of neointimal hyperplasia induced after vascular injury. Therefore, scoparone and chestnut inner shell may be a potential agent or functional food, respectively, for the prevention of vascular disorders such as vascular restenosis or atherosclerosis.
BACKGROUND: Compounds of the inner shell of chestnut (Castanea crenata) have diverse biological activities, including anti-cancer and anti-oxidant activities. Here we explored the effects of an extract of chestnut inner shells and of its bioactive component scoparone on vascular smooth muscle cell migration and vessel damage. RESULTS: The ethanol extract of chestnut inner shells, containing 11 major compounds, inhibited platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-induced migration of rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMCs). Among these compounds, scoparone (6,7-dimethoxycoumarin) suppressed RASMC migration and wound healing in response to PDGF-BB but did not affect RASMC proliferation. In RASMCs, scoparone inhibited the PDGF-BB-induced rat aortic sprout outgrowth and attenuated the PDGF-BB-mediated increase in phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), p38MAPK and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2. The in vivo administration of scoparone resulted in the attenuation of neointima formation in balloon-injured carotid arteries of rats. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate that scoparone, found in chestnut inner shells, may inhibit cell migration through suppression of the phosphorylation of MAPKs in PDGF-BB-treated RASMCs, probably contributing to the reduction of neointimal hyperplasia induced after vascular injury. Therefore, scoparone and chestnut inner shell may be a potential agent or functional food, respectively, for the prevention of vascular disorders such as vascular restenosis or atherosclerosis.