Protective Effect of Baicalein on oxLDL-induced Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Injury in Endothelial Cell

Background and Objective: There is consensus that oxidized LDL (oxLDL) play an important role in cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the suppressive effects of baicalein on oxLDL-induced inflammation and oxidative stress in human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1) cultures. Materials and Methods: The HMEC-1 were treated with 200 mu g mL(-1) oxLDL in the presence of baicalein (0-20 mu M). The cell viability were detected by MTT assay, Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) were detected using the fluorescent probe DCFH2-DA, inflammatory cytokines were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and NF-kappa B activity was detected using a NF-kappa B p65 assay kit. Results: The results showed that baicalein treatment induced the increase of cell viability in oxLDL treatment groups. More, ROS levels decreased by baicalein treatment. The inflammatory cytokines interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) also reduced by baicalein treatment. Further, baicalein inhibits oxLDL-induced NF-kappa B level. Conclusion: This data suggested that baicalein might abolish inflammation and oxidative stress in oxLDL-treated HMEC-1 via NF-kappa B.