Bupleuri Radix Ameliorates Vascular Inflammation in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells via Modulation of Tight Junction Protein Expression and Inhibition of Nuclear Factor-κB Activation

Objectives: The vascular endothelium plays a central role in the maintenance of vascular homeostasis. Inflammation of vascular endothelial cells has been closely related to the development of a wide range of cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis. Bupleuri Radix (BR) possesses several bi...

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Main Authors: Min Yeong Kim, Eun Jin Bang, Yung Hyun Choi, Su Hyun Hong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Korean Pharmacopuncture Institute 2025-03-01
Series:Journal of Pharmacopuncture
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.journal-jop.org/journal/view.html?doi=10.3831/KPI.2025.28.1.57
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author Min Yeong Kim
Eun Jin Bang
Yung Hyun Choi
Su Hyun Hong
author_facet Min Yeong Kim
Eun Jin Bang
Yung Hyun Choi
Su Hyun Hong
author_sort Min Yeong Kim
collection DOAJ
description Objectives: The vascular endothelium plays a central role in the maintenance of vascular homeostasis. Inflammation of vascular endothelial cells has been closely related to the development of a wide range of cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis. Bupleuri Radix (BR) possesses several biological properties, including anticancer, antimicrobial, antiviral, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory properties. Furthermore, it can prevent and cure several diseases, such as the common cold, hepatitis, menoxenia, and hyperlipidemia. However, it is unclear whether BR can regulate vascular endothelial function under inflammatory conditions induced by interleukin-1β (IL-1β), a key proinflammatory cytokine. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of BR on endothelial cell function using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with IL-1β-induced inflammation. Methods: The effects of BR on cell migration, angiogenesis, and monocyte adhesion were determined using scratch wound-healing assay, tube-formation assay, cell adhesion assay, fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran Transwell assay, and transepithelial electrical resistance assay. The expression of tight junction (TJ) protein and adhesion molecules was estimated using western blotting and immunofluorescence assay. The generation of reactive oxygen species was assessed using flow cytometry. Results: BR significantly suppressed the proliferation, migration, and tube-formation ability of IL-1β-stimulated HUVECs, and the expression of adhesion molecules, especially intracellular adhesion molecule-1. BR also regulated TJ protein expression, thereby restoring the transepithelial electrical resistance value to a level comparable to that of IL-1β-treated HUVECs. Moreover, BR decreased the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species and the nuclear translocation of the nuclear factor-kappa-B p65 subunit. Conclusion: These findings revealed for the first time that BR prevents IL-1β-induced inflammation of blood vessel. Therefore, BR has the potential to protect the damage of vascular endothelial cells and prevent the progression of cardiovascular diseases.
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spelling doaj-art-9bb4316c1980478a9906e72cea04d2d22025-08-20T03:40:01ZengKorean Pharmacopuncture InstituteJournal of Pharmacopuncture2093-69662025-03-01281576810.3831/KPI.2025.28.1.57KPI.2025.28.1.57Bupleuri Radix Ameliorates Vascular Inflammation in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells via Modulation of Tight Junction Protein Expression and Inhibition of Nuclear Factor-κB ActivationMin Yeong Kim0Eun Jin Bang1Yung Hyun Choi2Su Hyun Hong3Anti-Aging Research Center, Dong-Eui University, Busan, Republic of KoreaAnti-Aging Research Center, Dong-Eui University, Busan, Republic of KoreaAnti-Aging Research Center, Dong-Eui University, Busan, Republic of KoreaAnti-Aging Research Center, Dong-Eui University, Busan, Republic of KoreaObjectives: The vascular endothelium plays a central role in the maintenance of vascular homeostasis. Inflammation of vascular endothelial cells has been closely related to the development of a wide range of cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis. Bupleuri Radix (BR) possesses several biological properties, including anticancer, antimicrobial, antiviral, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory properties. Furthermore, it can prevent and cure several diseases, such as the common cold, hepatitis, menoxenia, and hyperlipidemia. However, it is unclear whether BR can regulate vascular endothelial function under inflammatory conditions induced by interleukin-1β (IL-1β), a key proinflammatory cytokine. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of BR on endothelial cell function using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with IL-1β-induced inflammation. Methods: The effects of BR on cell migration, angiogenesis, and monocyte adhesion were determined using scratch wound-healing assay, tube-formation assay, cell adhesion assay, fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran Transwell assay, and transepithelial electrical resistance assay. The expression of tight junction (TJ) protein and adhesion molecules was estimated using western blotting and immunofluorescence assay. The generation of reactive oxygen species was assessed using flow cytometry. Results: BR significantly suppressed the proliferation, migration, and tube-formation ability of IL-1β-stimulated HUVECs, and the expression of adhesion molecules, especially intracellular adhesion molecule-1. BR also regulated TJ protein expression, thereby restoring the transepithelial electrical resistance value to a level comparable to that of IL-1β-treated HUVECs. Moreover, BR decreased the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species and the nuclear translocation of the nuclear factor-kappa-B p65 subunit. Conclusion: These findings revealed for the first time that BR prevents IL-1β-induced inflammation of blood vessel. Therefore, BR has the potential to protect the damage of vascular endothelial cells and prevent the progression of cardiovascular diseases.http://www.journal-jop.org/journal/view.html?doi=10.3831/KPI.2025.28.1.57bupleuri radixhuman umbilical vein endothelial cellstight junction proteinnuclear factor-kappa-bvascular inflammation
spellingShingle Min Yeong Kim
Eun Jin Bang
Yung Hyun Choi
Su Hyun Hong
Bupleuri Radix Ameliorates Vascular Inflammation in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells via Modulation of Tight Junction Protein Expression and Inhibition of Nuclear Factor-κB Activation
Journal of Pharmacopuncture
bupleuri radix
human umbilical vein endothelial cells
tight junction protein
nuclear factor-kappa-b
vascular inflammation
title Bupleuri Radix Ameliorates Vascular Inflammation in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells via Modulation of Tight Junction Protein Expression and Inhibition of Nuclear Factor-κB Activation
title_full Bupleuri Radix Ameliorates Vascular Inflammation in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells via Modulation of Tight Junction Protein Expression and Inhibition of Nuclear Factor-κB Activation
title_fullStr Bupleuri Radix Ameliorates Vascular Inflammation in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells via Modulation of Tight Junction Protein Expression and Inhibition of Nuclear Factor-κB Activation
title_full_unstemmed Bupleuri Radix Ameliorates Vascular Inflammation in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells via Modulation of Tight Junction Protein Expression and Inhibition of Nuclear Factor-κB Activation
title_short Bupleuri Radix Ameliorates Vascular Inflammation in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells via Modulation of Tight Junction Protein Expression and Inhibition of Nuclear Factor-κB Activation
title_sort bupleuri radix ameliorates vascular inflammation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells via modulation of tight junction protein expression and inhibition of nuclear factor κb activation
topic bupleuri radix
human umbilical vein endothelial cells
tight junction protein
nuclear factor-kappa-b
vascular inflammation
url http://www.journal-jop.org/journal/view.html?doi=10.3831/KPI.2025.28.1.57
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