[Retracted] Arnebin‑1 promotes angiogenesis by inducing eNOS, VEGF and HIF‑1α expression through the PI3K‑dependent pathway.

Following the publication of the above paper, it was drawn to the Editor's attention by a concerned reader that the α‑tubulin protein bands shown in Fig. 2A on p. 689 were strikingly similar to data appearing in different form in the following paper: Tian R, Li Y and Gao M: Shikonin causes cell‑cycle arrest and induces apoptosis by regulating the EGFR‑NF‑κB signalling pathway in human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells.

Efficacy of Acetylshikonin in Preventing Obesity and Hepatic Steatosis in db/db Mice.

Zicao (Lithospermum erythrorhizon) has been used in clinics as a traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Acetylshikonin (AS) is the main ingredient of Zicao, Xinjiang, China. The objective of this study was to investigate the anti-obesity and anti-nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) efficacy of AS in a model of spontaneous obese db/db mice.

Arnebin-1 promotes angiogenesis by inducing eNOS, VEGF and HIF-1α expression through the PI3K-dependent pathway.

Arnebin-1, a naphthoquinone derivative, plays a crucial role in the wound healing properties of Zicao (a traditional wound healing herbal medicine). It has been noted that Arnebin-1, in conjunction with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), exerts a synergistic pro-angiogenic effect on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and accelerates the healing process of diabetic wounds. However, the mechanisms responsible for the pro-angiogenic effect of arnebin‑1 on HUVECs and its healing effect on diabetic wounds have not yet been fully elucidated.

Arnebin-1 promotes the angiogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells and accelerates the wound healing process in diabetic rats.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Zicao is a traditional wound healing herbal medicine that has been used for several hundred years in China. A survey of the published literatures revealed that arnebin-1, one of the naphthoquinone derivatives, played the most important role in wound healing property of this plant. However, whether arnebin-1 affects angiogenesis in vitro and has an effect on wound healing process in diabetic rats remains enigmatic.

Translocation of protein kinase C δ contributes to the moderately high glucose-, but not hypoxia-induced proliferation in primary cultured human retinal endothelial cells.

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most common complications in patients with diabetes and affects ~75% of them within 15 years of the onset of the disease. Activation of protein kinase C (PKC) is a key feature of diabetes mellitus and may be involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy. The present study aimed to examine the translocation of protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms, which are triggered by high an moderately high glucose levels as well as hypoxic conditions.

High-fat diet-induced obesity leads to resistance to leptin-induced cardiomyocyte contractile response.

Levels of the obese gene product leptin are often elevated in obesity and may contribute to obesity-induced cardiovascular complications. However, the role of leptin in obesity-associated cardiac abnormalities has not been clearly defined. This study was designed to determine the influence of high-fat diet-induced obesity on cardiac contractile response of leptin.

Scutellarein inhibits hypoxia- and moderately-high glucose-induced proliferation and VEGF expression in human retinal endothelial cells.

Aim: This study was designed to examine the effect of scutellarein on high glucose- and hypoxia-stimulated proliferation of human retinal endothelial cells (HREC).

Methods: HREC were cultured under normal glucose (NG), moderate, and high glucose (NG supplemented with 10 or 25 mmol/L D-glucose) and/or hypoxic (cobalt chloride treated) conditions. Cell proliferation was evaluated by a cell counting kit.

Scutellarin induced Ca(2+ ) release and blocked KCl-induced Ca(2+ ) influx in smooth muscle cells isolated from rat thoracic artery.

This study was designed to investigate the effect of scutellarin (1) on the modulation of intracellular Ca(2+ ) concentration in thoracic smooth muscle cells of rat. Single smooth muscle cells were obtained enzymatically. Fluo-3 AM was used to determine the alteration of intracellular-free Ca(2+ )([Ca(2+ )](i)) and the changes in fluorescence intensity under different agonists were recorded.