Herbal Prescription, DSGOST, Prevents Cold-Induced RhoA Activation and Endothelin-1 Production in Endothelial Cells

Abstract EN

Herbal prescription, Danggui-Sayuk-Ga-Osuyu-Saenggang-tang (DSGOST), has long been used to treat Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP) in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

However, a biological mechanism by which DSGOST ameliorates RP is yet deciphered.

In this study, we demonstrate that DSGOST inhibits cold-induced activation of RhoA, in both vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) and endothelial cells (EC), and blocks endothelin-1-mediated paracrine path for cold response on vessels.

While cold induced RhoA activity in both cell types, DSGOST pretreatment prevented cold-induced RhoA activation.

DSGOST inhibition of cold-induced RhoA activation further blocked α2c-adrenoreceptor translocation to the plasma membrane in VSMC.

In addition, DSGOST inhibited endothelin-1-mediated RhoA activation and α2c-adrenoreceptor translocation in VSMC.

Meanwhile, DSGOST inhibited cold-induced or RhoA-dependent phosphorylation of FAK, SRC, and ERK.

Consistently, DSGOST inhibited cold-induced endothelin-1 expression in EC.

Therefore, DSGOST prevents cold-induced RhoA in EC and blocks endothelin-1-mediated paracrine path between EC and VSMC.

In conclusion, our data suggest that DSGOST is beneficial for treating RP-like syndrome.