Protective effects of tanshinone IIA on endothelial progenitor cells injured by tumor necrosis factor-α

Tanshinone hA (Tan HA) is a Traditional Chinese Medicine commonly used in Asian and Western countries for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disorders, such as atherosclerosis. Endothelial dysfunction and associated inflammatory processes have a critical role in the development of atherosclerosis. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have been demonstrated to he involved in certain aspects of the endothelial repair process. The present study aimed to investigate the putative protective effects of Tan IIA on EPCs injured by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (INF-alpha). The potential effects of Tan 11A on TNF-alpha-stimulated [PC proliferation, migration, adhesion, in vitro tube formation ability and paracrine activity were investigated in the current study. The results indicated that INF-a impaired ETC proliferation, migration, adhesion capacity and vasculogenesis ability in vitro as well as promoted [PC secretion of inflammatory cytokines, including monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. (MCP-1),.interleukin-6 (IL-6) and soluble CD40 ligand (sCD4OL). However, Tan ILA was able to reverse these effects. In conclusion, these findings demonstrated that Tan IIA may have the potential to protect EPCs against damage induced by INF-Q. Therefore, these results may provide evidence for the pharmacological basis of Tan 11A and its potential use in the prevention and treatment of early atherosclerosis associated with [PC and endothelial damage.