Vascular anti-inflammatory effects of natural compounds from Aesculus hippocastanum and Hedera helix

In inflammatory processes and wound healing, the fundamental mechanisms of progression are the dynamic change of cellular adhesion and leucocytes migration (expression of adhesion molecules (ICAM and VCAM)), the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8 in vascular endothelial cells and edema occurrence due to increased vascular permeability- VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) signaling pathway. The aim of our studies was to determine the anti-inflammatory effect at vascular level of some compounds isolated from Hedera helix and Aesculum hypocastanum, through flow cytometry studies of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression, determination of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL6 and IL8 in extracellular environment and the VEGF factor. The inflammation was induced by two different stimuli: LPS, lipopolysaccharide that mimics the bacterial infection, respectively TNF-alpha nonspecific stimulus for the acute phase systemic inflammation. Both compounds inhibit IL6 and IL8 secretion and block the VEGF pro-angiogenic factor, but have no significant action on the expression of adhesion molecules in bacterial inflammation. During the stimulation with TNF-alpha, the Hedera helix extract has a concerted effect inhibiting in a dose-effect manner the IL6 and IL8 cytokines, ICAM and VCAM expression and VEGF. Aesculum hypocastanum extract enables the inhibition of IL6 and IL8 and the ICAM and VCAM expression.