Mailuoning prevents high-glucose-mediated human umbilical vein endothelial cells apoptosis

OBJECTIVE: To investigated the role of Mailuoning in the prevention of high-glucose-mediated cell apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and the mechanisms involved. METHODS: MTT assay was used to investigate cell viability, western blot was used to investigate protein expression, and flow cytometric detection technology was used to detect cell apoptosis. RESULTS: Exposure of HUVEC to high glucose (50 mM) significantly suppressed cell viability and increased cell apoptosis compared with normal glucose (11 mM) (all P < 0.05). However, Mailuoning prevented high-glucose-induced HUVEC apoptosis in dose-dependent manner. Further studies indicated that Mailuoning suppressed high-glucose-induced p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation, but had no effect on extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and Akt phosphorylation. CONCLUSION: Mailuoning can prevent high-glucose-induced HUVEC apoptosis by suppressing p38 activation.