Echinocystic acid ameliorates hyperhomocysteinemia-induced vascular endothelial cell injury through regulating NF-κB and CYP1A1

The present study investigated the role of echinocystic acid (EA) on the expression of nuclear factor (NF)-κB and cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1), and aortic morphology, in a rat model of hyperhomocysteinemia (Hhcy). A total of 50 Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups as follows: Normal control (NC), model control (MC), vitamin control (VC; folic acid 1 mg/kg + vitamin B2 2 mg/kg + vitamin B12 10u g/kg), EA1 (20 mg/kg EA) and EA2 (40 mg/kg EA). Plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels were determined via high performance liquid chromatography, and the morphology of the aorta was investigated using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Furthermore, aortic mRNA and protein levels of NF-κB and CYP1A1 were measured using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis and western blotting, respectively. Plasma Hcy levels, and aortic mRNA and protein levels of NF-κB and CYP1A1, were significantly lower in the EA-treated group compared with the MC group (all P<0.05). However, the aortic morphology remained normal, including the endothelial cells of the inner layer, and smooth muscle cells of the media layer and adventitia. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicate that EA has a protective role on vascular endothelial cells in Hhcy through decreasing plasma Hcy, and thus NF-κB and CYP1A1 expression.