Chinese herbal remedy Wogonin inhibits monocyte chemotactic protein-1 gene expression in human endothelial cells

Ying Ling Chang, Jiann Jong Shen, Being Sun Wung, Jing Jy Cheng, Danny Ling Wang*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

69 Scopus citations

Abstract

Wogonin (Wog), an active component of Scutellaria baicalensis, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), a potent chemoattractant for monocytes, plays a crucial role in case of early inflammatory responses, including atherosclerosis. In this study, we investigated the effect of Wog on phorbol ester (PMA)-induced MCP-1 expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (ECs). The MCP-1 mRNA levels and MCP-1 release in Wog-treated ECs were measured. Wog inhibited PMA-induced MCP-1 mRNA levels and MCP-1 secretion in a dosedependent manner. The inhibition of MCP-1 induction by Wog is a transcriptional event, as shown by Wog's significant reduction of both MCP-1 promoter and 4× 12-Otetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate response element-luciferase reporter activities. By electrophoretic mobility assay, Wog significantly reduced the AP-1 binding activity induced by PMA. Furthermore, the PMA-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and c-Jun amino-terminal kinase activities that contributed to AP-1 activity and MCP-1 gene induction were obviously attenuated after pretreating ECs with Wog. The decrease of MCP-1 secretion by Wog pretreatment led to a reduction of monocyte adhesion to ECs. Taken together, our results demonstrate that Wog inhibits MCP-1 induction in ECs; this inhibition is mediated by reducing AP-1 transcriptional activity via the attenuation of ERK1/2 and JNK signal transduction pathways. We conclude that Wog has the potential therapeutic development for use in antiinflammatory and vascular disorders.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)507-513
Number of pages7
JournalMolecular Pharmacology
Volume60
Issue number3
StatePublished - 2001

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