Efficacy of a mixed extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza and Paeonia lactiflora in inhibiting the aging of vascular wall through in vitro and in vivo experiments.

This article investigates the efficacy of USCP-GVH-014, a mixed extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge and Paeonia lactiflora Pall., in inhibiting vascular wall aging through both in vitro and in vivo studies. The extract was found to reduce abnormal proliferation of human aortic smooth muscle cells, collagen overproduction, and overexpression of matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9, while restoring antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase activity. It also inhibited tumor necrosis factor alpha–induced increases in adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in human aortic endothelial cells and regulated vascular-related proteins such as epidermal growth factor and interleukin-1ß. In animal models fed a high-cholesterol diet, USCP-GVH-014 lowered blood pressure and reduced aortic intimal thickness and fibrosis, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic candidate for cardiovascular diseases associated with vascular aging.