Objective: To study the effects of total flavones of Galium verum (FGV) on protecting in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) injured by hydrogen dioxide (H2O2). Method: HUVECs were cultured in vitro. An H2O2injured model was established

FGV at dose of 12.5

25

50 mg·L-1was cultured with the cells for 24 h before the model establishment. HUVECs were randomly divided into five groups:normal control group

model group

and FGV group (12.5

25

50 mg·L-1).Cell viability was measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the secretion levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined by spectrophotometry. The secretion levels of thrombomodulin (TM) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were determined using ELISA. The expression levels of NF-kappa B (NF-κB) mRNA and NF-kappa B inhibitor (IκB) mRNA were measured by RT-PCR. Result: The content of MDA

TM

VEGF and NF-κB mRNA were markedly increased in model group(P<0.01). Compared to model group

FGV group could reduce the proliferation inhibition of HUVECs

depress the content of MDA

improve the activity of SOD

decrease the secretion levels of TM and VEGF

down-regulated the expression of NF-κB mRNA(P<0.05

P<0.01). Conclusion: FGV has a protective effect on the HUVECs impairment induced by H2O2

and the potential mechanism of action may be associated with down-regulating the expression of NF-κB mRNA.