Icariin Attenuates High Glucose-Induced Apoptosis, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammation in Human Umbilical Venous Endothelial Cells

Si Sun; Le Liu; Xiaojun Tian; Yanghongyun Guo; Yingkang Cao; Yunqing Mei; Changhua Wang

doi:10.1055/a-0837-0975

Planta Medica, Table of Contents

Planta Med 2019; 85(06): 473-482
DOI: 10.1055/a-0837-0975

Biological and Pharmacological Activity

Original Papers

Icariin Attenuates High Glucose-Induced Apoptosis, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammation in Human Umbilical Venous Endothelial Cells

Authors

Si Sun

¹Department of Clinical Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
Le Liu

²Department of Pathology & Pathophysiology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, China
Xiaojun Tian

³Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Second Peopleʼs Hospital of Jingzhou City, Jingzhou, China
Yanghongyun Guo

²Department of Pathology & Pathophysiology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, China
Yingkang Cao

²Department of Pathology & Pathophysiology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, China
Yunqing Mei

⁴Department of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China

⁵Xiangyang No. 1 Peopleʼs Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, China

⁶Karamay Central Hospital, Karamay, China
Changhua Wang

²Department of Pathology & Pathophysiology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, China

Abstract

Endothelial dysfunction is closely associated with diabetic complications. Icariin, a flavonoid glycoside isolated from the Epimedium plant species, exhibits antidiabetic properties. However, its impact on endothelial function remains poorly understood, particularly under hyperglycemia. In this study, we investigated the potential protective effect of icariin on high glucose-induced detrimental effects on vascular endothelial cells. Human umbilical venous endothelial cells were incubated in media containing 5.5 mM glucose (normal glucose) or 25 mM glucose (high glucose) in the presence or absence of 50 µM icariin for 72 h. We found that high glucose markedly induced cell apoptosis, enhanced reactive oxygen species generation, and elevated expression levels of inflammatory factors and cell adhesion molecules, which were greatly subdued by icariin supplementation. In conclusion, icariin exerted a beneficial effect on high glucose-induced endothelial dysfunction. This new finding provides a promising strategy for future treatment of diabetic vascular complications.

Key words

icariin - antidiabetic - inflammation - apoptosis - Epimedium sp. - Berberidaceae - endothelial cell

Full Text

References

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