Objective: To investigate the contribution of mitochondrial pathway in the apoptosis induced by puerarin (PUE) in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells.
Method: Cultured rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMC) were intervened by high, middle and low dose of puerarin (1.5 x 10(-3), 1.5 x 10(-4), 1.5 x 10(-5) mol x L(-1)). The change of mitochondrial membrane potential was observed. Western blot detected the expression of apoptosis-related gene Caspase-9, Bax and Bcl-2 protein.
Result: Compared with the control group, mitochondrial membrane potential significantly decreased in puerarin groups. Puerarin can enhance the expression of Caspase-9 and Bax protein, decrease the expression of Bcl-2 protein. Puerarin also has a concentration-dependent on the induction of PASMC.
Conclusion: Puerarin can induce PASMC apoptosis through mitochondrial pathway.