Involvement of heme oxygenase-1 induction in anti-vascular inflammation effects of Xanthoceras sorbifolia in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Objective: To define the effects of Xanthoceras sorbifolia (EXS) on vascular inflammation and the mechanisms in endothelial cells.

Methods: Vascular protective effects of an ethanol extract of seeds from EXS (1-50 μg/mL) against tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-induced vascular inflammation were examined in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

Results: EXS significantly decreased TNF-α-induced expression of cell adhesion molecules, such as intracellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and endothelial cell selectin, in a dose-dependent manner.