Inhibitory Effects of Two Major Isoflavonoids in Radix Astragali on High Glucose-Induced Mesangial Cells Proliferation and AGEs-Induced Endothelial Cells Apoptosis

Abstract

Radix Astragali, the dried roots of Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus, is well known to have a protective effect on diabetic nephropathy. However, the effects of isoflavonoids in Radix Astragali on glomerular cells, which play a key role in the development of diabetic vascular complications, remain largely unknown. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate in vitro the effect of calycosin and calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside, two major isoflavonoids in Radix Astragali, on high glucose-induced rat mesangial cells proliferation and AGEs-induced human glomerular endothelial cell apoptosis. The results indicated that both calycosin and calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside (10-100 µM) could inhibit high glucose-induced mesangial cell early proliferation. Additionally, AGEs-mediated cell apoptosis was also attenuated by treatment of glomerular endothelial cells with either calycosin or calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside (1-100 µM). Therefore, the results obtained in this study suggest that both calycosin and calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside have a significant therapeutic potential to modulate the development and/or progression of diabetic nephropathy.

Phytoestrogen calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside ameliorates advanced glycation end products-induced HUVEC damage

“…AGEs have been widely studied in its key role in promoting vascular dysfunction and diabetes development [Orasanu and Plutzky, 2009]. Previously, we found and reported that calycosin could ameliorate AGEs-induced apoptosis [Tang et al, 2011] and inflammation (article in revision) in EC. In the present study, we reported for the first time that a homolog of calycosin, calycosin-7-O-b-D-glucopyranoside (CG), can also protect EC from AGEs-induced apoptosis and inflammation.…”

“…Previously, we found that calycosin-7-O-b-D-glucopyranoside (CG), a phytoestrogen, has anti-apoptotic against AGEs-induced EC apoptosis [Tang et al, 2011]. Tang and colleagues demonstrated that a homologue of CG, calycosin, could bind with estrogen receptor (ER) and promote EC proliferation [Tang et al, 2010].…”

Astragalus membranaceus 黄芪 (Huangqi, Milkvetch Root)

“…Calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside exerted significant antiviral activities against CVB3 both in vitro and in vivo, and it is one of active ingredients in A. membranaceus for the treatment of viral myocarditis. Calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside can also modulate endothelial cell dysfunction by ameliorating AGEs-induced cell apoptosis and inflammation [7,8].…”

Oryeong-san Ameliorates High Glucose-induced Mesangial Cell Proliferation

“…Western blot analysis . The earliest detectable change in the course of diabetic nephropathy is an expansion of the glomerular mesangium, which is caused by mesangial cell proliferation and excessive accumulation of ECM proteins 17) . Glomerular mesangial cells, an important member of renal glomerulus, play a major role not only in physiological functions but also in pathogenesis of kidney diseases 18) .…”