Vascular Protective Effect of an Ethanol Extract of Camellia japonica Fruit: Endothelium-Dependent Relaxation of Coronary Artery and Reduction of Smooth Muscle Cell Migration

摘要: Camellia japonica is a popular garden plant in Asia and widely used as cosmetic sources traditional medicine. However, the possibility that C. affects cardiovascular system remains unclear. The aim of present study was to evaluate vascular effects an extract japonica. Vascular reactivity assessed organ baths using porcine coronary arteries inhibition proliferation migration were human smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). All four different parts, leaf, stem, flower, fruits, caused concentration-dependent relaxations fruit (CJF) showed strongest vasorelaxation its effect endothelium dependent. Relaxations CJF markedly reduced by inhibitor endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) PI3-kinase, but not affected cyclooxygenase endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor-mediated response. induced activated time- phosphorylation eNOS cells. Altogether, these studies have demonstrated potent endothelium-dependent vasodilator this involved in, at least part, PI3K-eNOS-NO pathway. Moreover, attenuated TNF-α PDGF-BB VSMCs. findings indicate could be valuable candidate herbal medicine for diseases associated with dysfunction atherosclerosis.