Culture of human umbilical vein endothelial cells in vitro and effects of astragalus membranaceus and angelica sinensis on vascular endothelial growth factor

Objective: To investigate the effects of astragalus membranaceus and angelica sinensis on the proliferation of endothelial cells, cell cycle and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) mRNA in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC ). Methods: To culture human umbilical vein endothelial cells as target cells in vitro. Factor Ⅷ-related antigen determined was masculine in the cultures, with monoclonal antibody and SABC immunohistochemistry kit. The proliferation of HUVEC in different concentrations of astragalus membranaceus, angelica sinensis, that include 100, 200, 400 μg/ml,were observed with MTT method. The changes of cell cycle of the cultures after administration of astragalus membranaceus, angelica sinensis in 200 μg/ml were observed using flow cytometer. The decoction of them on VEGF mRNA expression of HUVEC were observed by using RT-PCR method. Results: The contribution of astragalus membranaceus in 200 μg/ml concentration and the decoction in 200, 400 μg/ml concentration was most evident. The decoction of astragalus membranaceus and angelica sinensis enhanced the synthesis of DNA and mitosis in cultured endothelial cells. The cultures treated with astragalus membranaceus, angelica sinensis, and the decoction in 200 μg/ml showed increased VEGF gene expression respectively as compared with negative control. Conclution: Astragalus membranaceus, angelica sinensis, and the decoction of them promoted proliferation of cultured HUVEC in vitro, increased the mRNA and expression of VEGF in the cultured HUVEC.