Salicornia europaea L. (SE) has been used as
folk medicine for the treatment of various diseases such as
obesity, diabetes, and
cancer. However, its effects on atherosclerotic events in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) remain unknown. The present study explored the effects of the
ethyl acetate fraction of desalted SE hot water extract (SEWEAF) on atherosclerotic responses (especially migration and proliferation) in VSMCs and vascular
neointima formation. Treatment with the SEWEAF significantly suppressed the
platelet-derived growth factor (
PDGF)-BB-induced VSMC migration and proliferation as well the phosphorylation of
mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) such as the
p38 MAPK and
extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2. Moreover,
oral administration of the SEWEAF resulted in the attenuation of
neointima formation in balloon-injured rat carotid arteries. Additionally, HPLC analysis showed that the major components in the two subfractions of the SEWEAF were five phenolic
acids and four
flavonols. In the SEWEAF components, for which
atherosclerosis-linked responses in VSMCs have not been known,
p-coumaric acid, quercetin-3-β-d-glucoside, and isorhamnetin-3-β-d-glucoside inhibited both
PDGF-BB-induced migration and proliferation and
isorhamnetin attenuated only
PDGF-BB-stimulated VSMC proliferation. These results suggest that the SEWEAF may suppress
PDGF-BB-induced VSMC migration by downregulating the phosphorylation of
p38 MAPK and ERK1/2, thus leading to the reduction of neointimal
hyperplasia during
vascular remodeling. Therefore, the desalted SE extract, SEWEAF may be a potential ingredient for dietary supplements or nutraceuticals to ameliorate and/or prevent
vascular remodeling-related disorders.