Mechanism of Action of Raspberry Natural Extract on Apoptosis in Human Brain Artery Aneurysm Vascular Endothelial Cells

Background and Objectives Raspberry natural extract exhibits a regulatory effect on apoptosis in human brain artery aneurysm vascular endothelial cells (VECs). This work was to gain deeper insights into the impact of raspberry extract on apoptosis in VECs in the treatment of human brain artery aneurysms, along with the associated molecular mechanisms, thereby providing scientific support for its application in the treatment of human brain artery aneurysms. Materials and Methods High-performance liquid chromatography was employed to determine the primary components of raspberry extract. Human brain artery aneurysm VECs were divided into the following groups: model (M) group, raspberry low-dose (LD) group (50 µg/mL), raspberry medium-dose (MD) group (100 µg/mL), raspberry high-dose (HD) group (150 µg/mL), and normal human brain artery VECs as the control (C) group. Cell viability was assessed under 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo (-z-y1)-3,5-di-phenytetrazoliumromide assay. Levels of relevant proteins were measured under Western blot, and related indicators were evaluated in each group. Results Raspberry extract included ellagic acid, rutin, kaempferol-3- O -rutinoside, oleanolic acid, tiliroside, quercetin, and kaempferol. The cell viability of brain VECs in the raspberry extract groups was drastically superior to that in the M group ( p < 0.05). In the HD group, cell viability of brain VECs was drastically superior to that in the LD group ( p < 0.05). Brain VECs in the raspberry extract groups exhibited greatly inferior levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), interleukin (IL)-17A, and endothelin (ET)-1 to M group ( p < 0.05). In the HD group, brain VECs showed notably lower levels of MMP-9, IL-17A, and ET-1 versus the LD group ( p < 0.05). PI3K and AKT in brain VECs were substantially superior in the raspberry extract groups to the M group ( p < 0.05). In HD group, levels of Bax, Caspase8, Cleaved-caspase8, Caspase12, Cleaved-caspase12, Caspase3, and Cleaved-caspase3 in brain VECs were markedly inferior to those in LD group ( p < 0.05), while Bcl-2 level in HD group was drastically superior to LD group ( p < 0.05). Conclusion Raspberry natural extract can enhance the survival rate of brain VECs, suppress cell apoptosis, and protect VECs. Raspberry extract can reduce inflammatory factors in brain VECs, activate PI3K/AKT signaling, and modulate apoptosis-related protein levels.