Objective: To observe the effects of Huanglian Jiedu Tang (HLJDT) on function of NO secretion of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and blood pressure in spontaneous hypertension rats (SHR). Method: The 60 male 12-week-old SHR were randomly divided into five groups:model control group

captopril positive control group

HLJDT low-dose group

HLJDT middle-dose group

HLJDT high-dose group

with 12 rats in each group. Another 12 male Wistar-Kyoto(WKY) rats were used as blank group. WKY control group and model group were given normal saline ig(20 mL·kg-1)

while the remaining groups were respectively given captopril ig(0.001 35 g·kg-1)

HLJDT low-dose ig(0.0135 g·kg-1)

HLJDT middle-dose ig(0.027 g·kg-1)

HLJDT high-doseig(0.054 g·kg-1) for 2 weeks. On the day before the administration and after the pretreatment

BP-6 rat noninvasive blood pressure tester was used to determine each group's caudal artery systolic blood pressure; the density gradient centrifugation separation method was adopted to isolate and culture endothelial progenitor cells from bone marrows. The cultured EPCs were identified by Dil-ac-LDL and FITC-UEA-I double-staining

and then assayed with CCK-8

Transwell chamber and adhesion function test and NO test

in order to analyze EPC proliferation

migration

adhesion capacity and NO secretion of each group. Result: Compared with the normal group

the model group showed significant increase in SHR blood pressure

and significant decrease in the number of EPCs

proliferation

migration capacity

adhesion capacity and NO secretion (P<0.01); compared with the model group

HLJDT can decrease the SHR blood pressure

and the number of EPCs

proliferation

migration capacity

adhesion capacity and NO secretion were increased in all of HLJDT groups (P<0.05

P<0.01). Conclusion: HLJDT can decrease SHR blood pressure

and increase the number of EPCs

and EPCs' proliferation

migration capacity

adhesion capacity and NO secretion.