Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) are the major ingredients of wolfberry. In this study, we investigated the role of LBP in endothelial dysfunction induced by oxidative stress and the underlying mechanisms using thoracic aortic endothelial cells of rat (RAECs) as a model. We found that Ang II inhibits cell viability of RAECs with 10[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]mol/L of Ang II treatment for 24[Formula: see text]h most potential ([Formula: see text]), the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is increased by Ang II treatment ([Formula: see text]), and the expression of Occludin and Zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) is decreased by Ang II treatment ([Formula: see text]). However, preincubation of cells with LBP could inhibit the changes caused by Ang II, LBP increased cell viability ([Formula: see text]), decreased the level of ROS ([Formula: see text]), and up-regulated the expression of Occludin ([Formula: see text]) and ZO-1. In addition, Ang II treatment increased the expression of EGFR and p-EGFR (Try1172) and which can be inhibited by LBP. On the contrary, expression of ErbB2, p-ErbB2 (Try1248), PI3K, p-e-NOS (Ser1177) ([Formula: see text]), and p-AKT (Ser473) ([Formula: see text]) was inhibited by Ang II treatment and which can be increased by LBP. Treatment of the cells with inhibitors showed that the regulation of p-e-NOS and p-AKT expression by Ang II and LBP can be blocked by PI3K inhibitor wortmannin but not EGFR and ErbB2 inhibitor AC480. Taken together, our results suggested that LBP plays a critical role in maintaining the integrality of blood vessel endothelium through reduced production of ROS via regulating the activity of EGFR, ErbB2, PI3K/AKT/e-NOS, and which may offer a novel therapeutic option in the management of endothelial dysfunction.
The estrogen‑like protective effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides in reducing oxidative stress on myocardial cells from ovariectomized rats
