The flavonoid phloretin suppresses stimulated expression of endothelial adhesion molecules and reduces activation of human platelets.

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease accompanied by the expression of endothelial adhesion molecules. Phloretin is a plant-derived phytochemical that is mainly present in apples. Because phloretin is reported to promote antioxidative activities, we investigated the effects of phloretin on cytokine-induced expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (E-selectin) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).