Vascular protective effects of Astragalus membranaceus and its main constituents in rats with chronic hyperhomocysteinemia

  • Authors:
    • Li‑Hong Qiu
    • Bi‑Qi Zhang
    • Miao‑Jun Lian
    • Xian‑Ji Xie
    • Peng Chen
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: July 9, 2017     https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2017.4739
  • Pages: 2401-2407
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Abstract

Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is an important factor in cardiovascular disease. However, is currently no cure available in western medicine for HHcy‑evoked cardiovascular disease. The present study explored the vascular protective effects of Astragalus membranaceus (AM), a traditional Chinese medicine. Rats with HHcy were induced by feeding high‑methionine diets and treated with total extract of AM (TEA) and its constituents, including Astragalus saponins (ASP), Astragalus total flavonoids (ATF) and Astragalus polysaccharides (APS). Examination of the rats indicated that TEA and ASP controlled blood pressure and ameliorated HHcy‑induced impairment of endothelium‑dependent vasorelaxation by increasing the nitric oxide content and nitric oxide synthase activity of the abdominal aorta. Furthermore, they decreased the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anion, and attenuated the inhibition of superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in rats with HHcy. Additionally, TEA and ASP attenuated the HHcy‑induced increases of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‑2 and ‑9 concentrations. However, similar effects were not observed for ATF and APS. In conclusion, TEA and ASP are beneficial to vascular disease, and their effects may be attributed to protective actions against oxidation, activity of the MMPs and endothelial dysfunction.

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September-2017
Volume 14 Issue 3

Print ISSN: 1792-0981
Online ISSN:1792-1015

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Spandidos Publications style
Qiu LH, Zhang BQ, Lian MJ, Xie XJ and Chen P: Vascular protective effects of Astragalus membranaceus and its main constituents in rats with chronic hyperhomocysteinemia. Exp Ther Med 14: 2401-2407, 2017.
APA
Qiu, L., Zhang, B., Lian, M., Xie, X., & Chen, P. (2017). Vascular protective effects of Astragalus membranaceus and its main constituents in rats with chronic hyperhomocysteinemia. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 14, 2401-2407. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2017.4739
MLA
Qiu, L., Zhang, B., Lian, M., Xie, X., Chen, P."Vascular protective effects of Astragalus membranaceus and its main constituents in rats with chronic hyperhomocysteinemia". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 14.3 (2017): 2401-2407.
Chicago
Qiu, L., Zhang, B., Lian, M., Xie, X., Chen, P."Vascular protective effects of Astragalus membranaceus and its main constituents in rats with chronic hyperhomocysteinemia". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 14, no. 3 (2017): 2401-2407. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2017.4739