Inhibitory Effects of an Aqueous Extract of Gynura procumbens on Human Mesangial Cell Proliferation

Inhibitory Effects of an Aqueous Extract of Gynura procumbens on Human Mesangial Cell Proliferation

<I>Gynura procumbens</I> (Lour.) Merr. has been used in some parts of Southeast Asia as a folk medicine to treat kidney diseases, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia. The present work was undertaken to prove the mechanisms of <I>G. procumbens</I> in the management of glomerular diseases. We investigated the effect of an aqueous extract of G. procumbens on cell proliferation, DNA synthesis, and the expressions of TGF-β1, <I>PDGF-BB, CDK1, CDK2, </I>and CDK4 in fetal bovine serum-activated human mesangial cells (MCs). The G. procumbens extract inhibited proliferation, DNA synthesis, expressions of <I>PDGF-BB, CDK1,</I> and <I>CDK2 </I>mRNA, and expression of TGF-β1 protein in MCs. The inhibitory effect of G. procumbens on MC proliferation may be mediated by suppression of PDGF-BB and TGF-β1 expressions and the modulation of <I>CDK1 </I>and <I>CDK2</I> expression. Therefore, <I>G. procumbens </I>shows promise as an adjunct therapy in preventing progressive renal diseases.