The effects of artemisinin on the proliferation and apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells of rats

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of artemisinin on the proliferation and apoptosis of rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). MethodPrimary rat VSMCs were treated with various doses of artemisinin. Cell proliferation was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, and the messenger RNA and protein expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen were determined by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. Apoptosis was measured using annexin V and propidium iodide double staining evaluated by flow cytometry. Protein expression of Bax, Bcl2, and cyclin-dependent kinase 4 was determined by Western blot. ResultsAfter 72h of treatment, artemisinin significantly inhibited VSMC proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment with 1mM artemisinin for 72h significantly reduced the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen messenger RNA. On the other hand, the same treatment increased the apoptosis of VSMCs, the activation of caspase-3, the Bax protein expression, and the Bax/Bcl2 ratio. ConclusionThe results suggest that artemisinin can effectively inhibit VSMC proliferation and induce VSMC apoptosis. Copyright (c) 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.