Anti-Inflammatory Effects of <i>Poncirus trifoliata</i> and <i>Viola mandshurica</i> Complex on TNF-α-Induced Inflammation in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

Objective: This study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of <i>Poncirus trifoliata</i> Rafinesque and <i>Viola mandshurica</i> Baker Complex (PVC) on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-induced inflammation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).Methods: HUVECs were pretreated with PVC and subsequently stimulated with TNF-α. The mRNA and protein expression levels of IL-6, iNOS, eNOS, KLF2, IL-8, MCP-1, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 were quantitatively analyzed. Additionally, phosphorylation levels of ERK, JNK, and p38 were assessed.Results: PVC significantly reduced the mRNA and protein expression levels of IL-6, iNOS, MCP-1, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 compared to the controls while increasing the expression of eNOS and KLF2. No significant effect was observed on IL-8 expression. Furthermore, PVC markedly decreased the phosphorylation levels of ERK, JNK, and p38 relative to the controls.Conclusions: PVC can protect vascular endothelial cells from inflammatory damage, which may prevent cardiovascular disease by inhibiting vascular inflammation associated with atherosclerosis.