Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Gastrodia elata Rhizome in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

Vascular inflammation is a pivotal factor of a variety of diseases, such as atherosclerosis and tumor progression. The present study was designed to examine the anti-inflammatory effect of ethanol extract of Gastrodia elata rhizome (EGE) in primary cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Pretreatment of cells with EGE attenuated TNF-alpha-induced increase in expression levels of cell adhesion molecules such as intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and E-selectin. Real time qRT-PCR also showed that EGE decreased the mRNA expression levels of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, E-selectin as well as macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and interleukin-8 (IL-8). In addition, EGE significantly inhibited TNF-alpha-induced increase in monocyte adhesion of HUVEC in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, EGE significantly inhibited TNF-alpha-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and p65 NF-kappa B activation by preventing I kappa B-alpha phosphorylation. In conclusion, the present data suggest that EGE could suppress TNF-alpha-induced vascular inflammatory process via inhibition of oxidative stress and NF-kappa B activation in HUVEC.