Objective: To observe the anti-proliferative effects and possible mechanisms of serum containing Simiao Yongan decoction(SYD) on rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells(VSMC) during the insulin resistance state. Method: Nine New Zealand big-eared rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups with 3 rabbits each group.Each groups were separately given distilled water 10 mL

simvastatin 5 mg·kg-1 and SYD at dosage of 11.25 g·kg-1 each time and twice a day for 3 consecutive days.Serum containing SYD was prepared by serum pharmacological method

the proliferation of VSMC was induced by high concentrations of glucose and insulin(4 500 mg·L-1 glucose+100 U·L-1insulin).The VSMCs were divided into following groups:blank group (10%FBS normal glucose DMEM)

normal group (10%FBS normal glucose DMEM+normal serum containing)

model group (10%FBS glucose DMEM+100 U·L-1 insulin+normal serum containing)

western medicine group (10%FBS high glucose DMEM+100 U·L-1 insulin+serum containing simvastatin)

traditional Chinese medicine group (10%FBS high glucose DMEM+100 U·L-1 insulin+serum containing SYD).Cell proliferation was measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay

content of IL-6 and TNF-α in cell culture supernatant was detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Result: The proliferation of VSMC was markedly induced by high concentrations of glucose and insulin.Compared with the normal group

the absorbance (A)value of MTT

the content of cell culture supernatant of IL-6 and TNF-α in model group was increased significantly (P<0.05);compared with the model group

Chinese medicine group and western medicine group

the A value

the content of IL-6 and TNF-α of cell culture supernatant was reduced(P<0.05). Conclusion: Serum containing SYD can inhibit proliferation of the smooth muscle cells induced by high glucose and insulin

one of the possible mechanisms may be related to reducing secretion of IL-6 and TNF-α in smooth muscle cells.