Context: Alisol A 24-acetate has been used to treat vascular diseases. However, the underlying mechanisms still remain unclear.
Objective: The present study evaluated the antiapoptotic effect of alisol A 24-acetate on brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) and explored the underlying mechanisms.
Materials and methods: BMECs were injured through oxygen -glucose deprivation (OGD) after alisol A 24-acetate treatment. Cell viability and half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) were measured using CCK-8, whereas inflammatory factors and oxidative stress indicators were measured using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Cell invasion and wound healing assays were detected. Cell apoptosis was assessed using flow cytometry. B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2 associated X (Bax) expression were analyzed using Western blotting. Dual-luciferase assay was applied to detect target genes of miR-92a-3p.
Result: Alisol A 24-acetate had an IC50 of 98.53 mg/L and inhibited cell viability at concentrations over 50mg/L. OGD induced apoptosis and promoted miR-92a-3p overexpression in BMECs. However, alisol A 24-acetate treatment suppressed inflammation, improved migration and invasion abilities, increased Bcl-2 expression, inhibited Bax expression, and repressed apoptosis and miR92a-3p overexpression in OGD-induced BMECs. MiR-92a-3p overexpression promoted cell apoptosis and suppressed Bcl-2 expression, whereas its inhibitor reversed the tendency. Alisol A 24-acetate treatment relieved the effects of miR-92a-3p overexpression. Dual-luciferase assay confirmed that miR-92a-3p negatively regulated the Bcl-2 expression.
Conclusions: These findings suggest that alisol A 24-acetate exerts antiapoptotic effects on OGD-induced BMECs through miR-92a-3p inhibition by targeting the Bcl-2 gene, indicating its potential for BMECs protection and as a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of cerebrovascular disease.
Keywords: BMECs; Bcl-2; MicroRNA-92a-3p.