Antioxidant Activities and Inhibitory Effects of Auricularia Auricular and Its Functional Formula Diet Against Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell in Vitro

The functional formula diet AHP, containing polysaccharides from Auricularia auricular, polyphenolic compounds from Hawthorn (Crataegus) and Pueraria radix, has been recently developed as a dietary intervention against dyslipidemia in our previous study. In the present study, its antioxidant activities and protective effects against proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were investigated. AHP possessed the potent radical-scavenging effects against hydroxyl and superoxide radicals, and also the inhibitory effects against peroxidation of low density lipoprotein induced by Cu in vitro. The protective effects of AHP against proliferation of VSMCs were evaluated through the methodology of serum pharmacology. The serum containing AHP significantly inhibited the proliferation of VSMCs induced by oxidized low density lipoprotein in a timeand dose-dependent manner, and also promoted the nitric oxide production of VSMCs. Our study indicated that this functional formula diet would be a potent alternative as a functional diet to prevent atherosclerosis at early stage.